Leveraging Technology to Enhance Road Safety and Reduce Truck Accidents
Outcomes in trucking accidents can be pretty grim due to a truck's sheer size and weight. A fully loaded truck weighs up to 80,000 pounds, approximately 20 times more than an average car.
As car safety technology advances, truck manufacturers are also in the race to make American roads much safer by incorporating technologies into trucks.
This guide explores technologies adopted by truck manufacturers, their role in reducing truck accidents, and what you need to know if you have been injured in a truck accident, so keep reading for insight.
Crash Avoidance Systems
Crash avoidance systems are becoming a standard in every new vehicle and truck. The technology uses sensors and cameras to stop a vehicle in time to prevent an accident when it detects an obstacle, and the driver fails to react in time.
Older versions of the system use audio and visual warnings to call the driver's attention, while newer versions apply brakes automatically to bring a truck to a stop. This feature comes in handy when the driver is distracted, doesn't see the hazard in time, or is drowsy.
Advanced Driver Assistance Systems
Many truck manufacturers aim to see trucks go fully autonomous, which most industry players believe is the only way to eliminate driver error. While the laws do not yet allow autonomous driving, many trucks have advanced driver assist features that combine capabilities such as lane assist, cruise control, automatic braking, etc.
With these features, a truck needs little human input to stay on the road and prevent accidents. However, the responsibility for safety lies with the driver.
Advanced Monitoring Systems
Thanks to technology, fleet managers can monitor driver behavior in real time. For example, onboard sensors and GPS trackers can help fleet managers measure metrics such as vehicle location, speed, acceleration, and cornering data, which they can use in safety training and preventing future errors.
Also, knowing that a vehicle has real-time vehicle monitoring motivates a driver to be more careful. There are also monitoring systems for driver behavior or attentiveness that issue warnings to drivers, for example, by calling them to attention if they are drowsy.
Electronic Logging Devices
Electronic logging devices may not be active in controlling a vehicle, but play a critical role in a driver's state when on the road. Traditionally, drivers are required to enter their work hours manually in a physical paper log, which is subject to manipulation.
The problem with log manipulation is drivers spend more hours on the road, increasing the risk of drowsy driving. Electronic logging records driver hours automatically, ensuring drivers do not bend the rules and improving safety.
Liability for Truck Accidents
Advancements in truck safety technology can significantly reduce the chances of getting into an accident, but they can't bring the chances to zero. If you have suffered injuries in a truck accident, you may have a right to compensation, but you may want to start by identifying the liable party.
Assigning liability in truck accidents is not as straightforward. So, consider hiring a truck accident attorney to help you navigate it. If the driver is an independent contractor, they will be liable for the accident. If employed, their employer will be liable under the vicarious liability doctrine.
Third parties, such as truck manufacturers or a faulty part manufacturer, can also be liable if a mechanical fault not associated with poor maintenance is the cause of the accident.
Final Words
The trucking industry has made tremendous strides regarding safety, intending to bring truck accidents to zero. While zero accidents may sound overly ambitious, there is ample room for improvement. In the meantime, victims of an accident can seek legal redress for harm suffered by filing a claim against the at-fault party.
