The prevailing wisdom is that the bigger the car, the safer it is. That is because the greater mass and structural design of a large SUV does a better job of protecting the occupants.
It stands to reason that a truck would be the safest vehicle on the road. While that might be true for the driver, it’s not true for any vehicle with the unfortunate experience of colliding with a semi-truck.
A fully loaded cargo truck can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. If that slams into an SUV weighing 4,000 pounds, the SUV can still be totaled. That’s why truck drivers and trucking companies need to take the lead in using new technology to help prevent truck crashes.
Technology to Help Prevent Truck Crashes
Many devices can be installed in a commercial truck to improve its safety.
Consider these problems and possible technology help:
Problem: Staying Alert on a Long Haul
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) mandates truck drivers’ driving service hours. According to those mandates, a driver has an 11-hour driving limit after 10 hours off duty. That doesn’t mean they will be sleeping for eight of those ten off-duty hours.
Even if they did, 11 hours is a long time to be on the road. That can lead to fatigue, which impairs the driver’s ability to react to traffic.
Technology Help: Driver Alert Systems
In-cab cameras can be set up to track a drowsy driver’s eye movements and facial cues.
If the alert system detects a driver closing their eyes or their head slumping forward, it will sound a warning alarm. There are advanced systems that can be tied to the truck’s engine.
It can also slow the rig down if it detects an unresponsive driver.
Problem: Collisions with Other Vehicles
As with any other vehicle on the road, once a truck gets to the open highway, it makes many lane changes to keep up with the traffic flow. Those lane changes are where many accidents occur.
Technology Help: Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS)
Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) are becoming standard in trucks and cars. ADAS utilizes cameras and sensors to monitor a truck’s surroundings when it is in motion. When the system detects a potential hazard, it will alert the driver in the following ways:
- Automatic emergency braking
- Adaptive cruise control
- Lane departure warning
These instant warnings provide the truck driver with the opportunity to take corrective action to avoid a collision.
Problem: Blind Spots
The larger the truck, the more limited the visibility. Blind spots aren’t just on either side of the truck but also from the rear. A trucker can’t see what’s behind them unless they have cameras back there. In other words, their in-cab rearview mirrors are useless.
Technology Help: 360-degree View
By incorporating cameras and sensors in positions 360 degrees around the truck, drivers can now have a complete view.
Record Keeping
In addition to the technology to avoid collisions, trucks can also deploy an electronic data recorder (EDR). This is a logging device that captures the truck’s mechanical performance and the driver’s actions. The EDR can record the following:
- Speed
- Acceleration
- Braking
- Engine performance
- Steering angle
- Driver service hours
In the event of a truck accident, the EDR can provide essential information for any potential insurance claim. This is the kind of evidence that the attorneys from the Forbes Law Office will gather on behalf of our clients.
When we agree to take on a case, we will pull together all the vital evidence to support our client’s story. You can schedule a free consultation where we can hear what happened.
Technology can reduce the risk of getting into an accident with a truck, but it can’t eliminate it altogether. When an accident happens, you are entitled to seek a remedy.
