It is well-known that truck drivers are the backbone of American industry, but they are not immune to mistakes while driving. Truck drivers who get into accidents can cause serious damage to themselves and the other driver. It makes sense then that the tech industry has put a major focus on keeping them safe.
Not only are there new technologies to help the truck driver stay safe, but they benefit the other drivers on the road, as well. Of course, it is important for anyone involved in an accident with an 18-wheeler to seek the help of an 18 wheeler accident lawyer. However, with the new tech available, it will be easier to protect both truck drivers and other vehicles on the road. Below are some of the top tech safety advancements for 18-wheelers in 2020.
Forward-Facing Cameras
In-cab cameras are not a new technology, but they have gone through some excellent advancements in recent years. Forward-facing cameras have improved along with all cameras in terms of nighttime usability, image processing, high-definition image capturing, and storage space. The forward-facing cameras fitted inside 18-wheelers help uncover the truth of an accident and can help ensure that the person at fault is identified.
Driver Scorecards
Driver scorecards are an amazing tool that helps keep everyone on the road safe. It uses a trucker’s dash cam footage to monitor the driving behavior or other cars and the truck driver themselves in real time. It offers the truck driver continuous coaching on how to avoid critical events such as hard braking and accelerating, which often lead to accidents.
Collision Mitigation Technology
Collision mitigation technology has been around for a few years, but earlier models often reported false positives. False positives are when the system alerts the driver to a problem when there is not one, such as close proximity to another vehicle when there are none nearby. This can cause problems in itself as the driver may react quickly and maneuver in a way that causes an accident in another way.
Fortunately, as the technology advanced, the rate of false positives has decreased significantly. Now, the warning systems that alert a driver to the likelihood of collision are much more precise and some may offer the ability to take autonomous control of the truck to avoid an accident with other vehicles on the road.
Electronic Logging Devices
Nearly all commercial trucking companies that use U.S. interstates are now required to have electronic logging devices. These devices track the number of hours a commercial truck driver spends on the road. This ensures that drivers are not driving until they are incapable of staying awake. This protects the driver from getting into an accident and keeps the roads safer for everyone.
Trailer Tracking
Trailer tracking allows companies to locate and manage the trailers that their drivers are transporting. While the first use that comes to mind is loss prevention, this technology can keep track of trailer maintenance. This helps truck drivers avoid accidents related to trailer breakdowns while driving.
The Bottom Line
When an 18-wheeler is involved in an accident, the damage can be devastating. The likelihood for survival is much lower than other types of accidents, and those who do survive may suffer debilitating injuries. Fortunately, these 18-wheeler safety technologies are working to keep the roads safe for all drivers.
