A terrifying highway incident left a motorist shaken after a brake shoe from a passing semi-truck broke free and came crashing through the windshield of their vehicle at highway speed. The projectile, which can weigh several pounds, struck the windshield with enough force to shatter it, spraying glass throughout the cabin and narrowly missing the driver. Incidents involving debris from commercial trucks are more common than most drivers realize and can be extraordinarily dangerous when they occur at freeway speeds.
Federal regulations require commercial truck operators to regularly inspect and maintain brakes and other undercarriage components to prevent exactly this type of failure. However, enforcement varies, and maintenance shortcuts are not uncommon in an industry where drivers are under constant pressure to meet tight delivery schedules. Safety advocates are calling for increased roadside inspections and stricter penalties for operators found with improperly maintained vehicles following the incident.