Modern Technology Can Prevent 63,000 Truck Accidents Per Year
The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety has released a report examining the effects that modern truck technology can have on road safety. According to their research, 61% of adult drivers in America feel less safe driving near large trucks than near passenger cars. Major contributing factors to this include the sheer size of trucks, the scope of blind spots for truck drivers, and the possibility of a truck drifting out of its lane. However, about 26% of adults stated that they would feel safer driving around large trucks with safety technology installed. By looking into ways that modern technology can help prevent some of the existing dangers for truck drivers and those around them, AAA identified ways to reduce up to 63,000 accidents per year.
How Technology Helps
The report put out by AAA focused on four technologies: lane departure warning systems, automatic emergency braking, air disc brakes, and video-based onboard safety monitoring systems. Each system has its own benefits to road safety. Ensuring that new trucks have air disc brakes can prevent 2,411 crashes, 1,447 injuries and 37 deaths per year, while outfitting them with automatic emergency braking systems can prevent up to 5,294 crashes, 2,753 injuries and 55 deaths per year. Better than braking, however, are systems which help ensure that the truck is being driven safely. Systems that detect when a truck is leaving its lane are estimated to be able to prevent up to 6,372 crashes, 1,342 injuries and 115 deaths per year if installed in all new and existing trucks. Onboard safety monitoring systems based on video capture were found to make the largest dent, with a possible reduction of 63,000 crashes, 17,733 injuries and 293 deaths per year.
Government Mandate
While all of the systems included in the AAA study are optional recommendations, the federal government has established a law requiring another form of truck safety technology, electronic logging devices. To keep tired truck drivers off the road, those behind the wheel are limited to a set number of driving hours and held to minimum rest times per day. These hour logs are checked by law enforcement, and electronic logging devices increase the impact logging has on road safety. A federal law called MAP-21, which demands all trucks on the road to use electronic logging devices, goes into effect on December 18.
We at the Herrera Law Firm are deeply concerned about the safety of truck drivers and those who share the road with them. We encourage truck drivers to take all available precautions to maintain road safety, and others on the road to be mindful and careful around large trucks. If you or a loved one have been the victim of a truck accident, we encourage you to contact us so we can help you get the justice you deserve.
