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September 27, 1999 9:27 AM, EDT

When it comes to repairs, it is important to distinguish between the old underride guards and the newer “impact” guards at the rear of semitrailers, because the federal government has specific maintenance requirements in mind.

To that end, The Maintenance Council of American Trucking Associations is working on a recommended practice — or RP — intended to ensure that repaired impact guards look and perform as they’re designed. The RP also is expected to provide some measure of legal defense to anyone who follows the guidelines in fixing a guard and is sued after someone rear-ends his trailer.

TMC members will vote on the proposal this fall.

Rear impact guards, which by federal fiat are on most trailers built since Jan. 27, 1996, are larger and stronger than the familiar underride guards, also known as “ICC bumpers,” that have long been installed on trailers.

For the full story, see the Sept. 27 print edition of Transport Topics. .