Technology Add Ons Address The Common Causes Of Truck Accidents

The number of fatalities caused by collisions with large trucks has risen over 30% in the ten years since 2009, when they were at the lowest since records began. Although the trucking industry has been traditionally slow to adopt technology, improving safety features on large trucks is essential if the rising number of accidents and fatalities is to be addressed. Electric trucks are designed to improve road safety and driver productivity; however, it may be some time before these are included as standard in commercial fleets. In the meantime, trucks can be fitted with a variety of innovative add ons that can help to address some of the more common causes of accidents involving large commercial vehicles.

Combating Driver Fatigue

Due to their size and weight, large trucks can cause greater damage and more serious injuries when they hit other smaller vehicles. To estimate average 18 wheeler accident settlements, experienced personal injury lawyers take into account the cause of an accident, along with other variables, and how it may impact levels of compensation. Despite strict regulations for rest stops and limited driving hours, one of the most common causes of truck accidents is driver fatigue. As well as fitting tachographs to monitor driving times, wearable technology with biometric sensors can now provide immediate feedback on a driver’s level of tiredness. By measuring physiological parameters through a wristband, or monitoring eye blinks with glasses, drivers can be promptly alerted to signs of fatigue, and pull over for a break before putting themselves and other road users at risk. Of course, drivers also have the option to look into potential remedies such as this total restore by dr gundry as an example, that could allow them to decrease their levels of fatigue and allow them to drive for a little longer between breaks. That being said, letting driver fatigue go unchecked can have some serious consequences. Whether it is a long 10 to 12-hour drive, or a comparatively shorter one, both tend to have equal chances of a fatigue-related crash. This can be due to several other factors, as can be observed by Milwaukee personal injury lawyers from firms like Gebhard Law Office, such as unusual working hours, having more than one job, or just day-time drowsiness due to lack of sleep.

Encouraging The Adoption Of ADAS

The use of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) helps to minimize human error, and as a result, reduce the number of road accidents. ADAS use sensors, radars and cameras to help drivers stay in lane, avoid collisions and detect obstacles in the road. Truck drivers have been reluctant to adopt these systems as they worry that control of the vehicle will be weakened. However, there is an almost 80% reduction in serious injuries for drivers involved in an accident with trucks fitted with a radar-based collision avoidance system, so encouraging the use of ADAS could save lives. If your company trucks do not use an ADAS, the pressures of long exhausting drives can make way for accidents. And unfortunately, if you are a victim of such accidents at no fault of your own, you have the right to claim Truck Accident Compensation for serious injuries.

Controlling Speed To Avoid Collision

Figures from The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration show that speeding is a factor in one in five accidents involving trucks. Although most trucks are now fitted with speed-limiting technology, transport agencies are calling for the compulsory addition of braking systems to improve road safety. Adaptive cruise control actively regulates speed, acceleration and deceleration of the truck, ensuring it stays at an appropriate distance from the vehicle in front. In the case of an emergency stop, automatic braking systems can pull up large vehicles in time to avoid a collision.

Large commercial vehicles continue to cause deadly accidents on the roads. With the development of increasingly sophisticated safety technology, many of the common causes of collisions can be mitigated, and the number of serious injuries and deaths minimized.