KOBE - Another serious accident has occurred on a steep, prolonged downhill stretch of Prefectural Route 95 in Kobe, where authorities have repeatedly warned drivers about the risk of brake fade, a potentially dangerous loss of braking power that can affect ordinary passenger cars as well as large trucks.
The latest accident occurred on a long downhill section near Kobe University, where a tow truck pulling a large truck crashed into a utility pole.
The road descends steeply over an extended distance. Viewed from the side, the elevation drops by about 100 meters between two points along the route.
The same section has been the scene of repeated accidents. In 2019, nine people were killed or injured in a crash on the prefectural road.
Following that accident, local police distributed safety warnings and maps urging drivers to exercise caution. The road was also designated as a priority route for measures against brake fade.
Brake fade occurs when repeated use of the foot brake, particularly while descending a long slope, causes components involved in braking to become extremely hot. As temperatures rise, the brakes can gradually lose effectiveness.
The phenomenon is not limited to large trucks and buses and can also occur in passenger vehicles.
Brake fade has previously been blamed for fatal accidents in Japan. In 2022, a large chartered bus overturned in Shizuoka Prefecture after its brakes lost effectiveness. The bus failed to negotiate a curve, crashed and overturned, killing one person.
Brake fade can develop after continuous use of the foot brake over only several hundred meters, meaning it can occur even on relatively short downhill stretches.
High summer temperatures may further increase the risk. Because brake fade is caused by excessive heat in the braking system, high outdoor temperatures can make it more difficult for the brakes to dissipate heat.
Drivers are advised to rely more heavily on engine braking while descending steep slopes rather than repeatedly applying the foot brake. This can be done by shifting from drive into a lower gear, such as second or low, depending on the vehicle.
If brake fade occurs, drivers should gradually shift down through the gears, moving from drive to second and then to low as the vehicle slows. Once the speed has fallen sufficiently, the parking brake can be applied to help bring the vehicle to a stop.
Drivers should not shift directly into park while the vehicle is still moving in an attempt to stop it. Doing so can damage the transmission and eliminate the ability to use engine braking, further reducing the driver's ability to slow the vehicle safely.
Source: YOMIURI
