Truck accidents are capable of causing catastrophic or even fatal injuries to motorists, bikers, pedestrians, and anyone else on the road. Since commercial trucks are so much heavier than passenger cars and other vehicles, a collision can result in considerable damage and destruction. Fortunately, technology is continually adapting to make the roads safer for everyone. In this article, we discuss some of the ways in which technological advances have helped to reduce the risk of a truck accident occurring.

Why Are Truck Accidents So Dangerous?

Commercial vehicles are frequently much heavier than other vehicles on the road. The San Antonio truck accident lawyers at Hill Law Firm note that tractor trailers can weigh up to “80,000 pounds for the truck and its freight.” The sheer weight of a fully-loaded truck can significantly reduce its maneuverability and braking ability. Even an alert, experienced truck driver may be unable to react in time to avoid a crash if another driver cuts them off or they need to come to an immediate stop.

When a collision occurs, a truck almost always exerts substantially more force and momentum than other vehicles involved in the crash. Particularly when a crash occurs at a high speed, it is likely that the smaller vehicle and its occupants will bear the brunt of the collision. In some cases, it may be possible for a passenger vehicle to slide underneath the truck’s trailer. This type of collision is called an “underride accident.” Underride accidents are particularly dangerous because the first point of impact is typically the smaller vehicle’s windshield or hood. Some of the vehicle’s safety features, such as airbags or designed crumple zones, may fail to adequately protect the occupants from this type of collision.

Reducing the Risk of Truck Accidents Via Technological Advances

To protect both their drivers and the general public, trucking companies across the United States are investing in new technologies that can reduce the chances of a collision occurring. Although many trucks previously implemented tracking and GPS systems to help drivers make it to their destination, many companies now field technologies that play a more active role in crash prevention. Some of these technologies include:

Electronic Stability Control

An electronic stability control (ESC) system monitors a driver’s steering wheel input to help ensure they have control over their vehicle. When the system detects that a loss of steering control is likely, it adjusts to correct the truck’s course or reduce skidding during an evasive action. ESC can also help if a driver over-corrects when attempting to avoid an obstacle or make a poorly-judged turn. Not only does ESC reduce the chance of a single- or multi-vehicle collision, but it also substantially lowers the chances of a rollover as well.

Lane Departure Technology

Lane departure warning systems (LDWS) are designed to help drivers avoid collisions caused by unintended lane departures. Even experienced truck drivers can find themselves drifting out of their lane due to distractions, fatigue, or a number of other factors. LDWS uses sensors and cameras to monitor a vehicle’s position on the road and alert the driver if they drift outside of their lane’s lines. LDWS may use audible or visual warnings or even vibrate the steering wheel or driver’s seat to alert them of the danger.

Automatic Electric Brakes

One of the newest technologies used in the trucking industry is automatic electric braking. This crash avoidance system uses radar to detect hazards in the truck’s path. When the system detects that a collision is imminent, the system automatically begins braking. Automatic electric braking also helps truck drivers maintain appropriate space between other vehicles in front of them.

Autonomous Cruise Control

Cruise control has been around for awhile and is used in both passenger and commercial vehicles to help drivers have a safer, more manageable experience on the road. Cruise control systems are particularly helpful for truckers, who frequently find themselves driving long-distance. Autonomous cruise control (ACC) is an advanced system that automatically adjusts a truck’s speed so that it keeps a safe following distance behind other vehicles.

There is also another form of cruise control called Cooperative Adaptive Cruise Control. This system collects data from roadside cameras, satellites, and other infrastructure to determine the distance between the truck and other vehicles and adjust speed accordingly.

Forward Collision Warning

A forward collision warning system uses cameras, radar, lasers, or some combination thereof to detect vehicles in front of a truck. Some systems are sophisticated enough to also detect animals, cyclists, people, and other obstructions. Some forward collision warning systems only alert a driver of a threat but do not take actions to avoid a crash. Other vehicles may have automatic braking that activates if the warning system is triggered. When automatic braking is applied, a crash can be avoided or the severity of the impact can at least be reduced as much as possible.

Dual-Facing Cameras

Dual-facing cameras serve two primary functions: they record traffic conditions on the road and the interior of a truck’s cab. The resulting footage can be used to help transportation companies understand how their drivers perform behind the wheel, while simultaneously providing real-time traffic updates. Dual-facing cameras can help companies screen drivers, detect dangerous behaviors, and provide training to focus on areas of weaknesses highlighted in the film. If an accident does happen, the footage can be invaluable for investigators as well.

Rear-View Cameras

Truck drivers have very limited visibility along the sides and rear of their truck. This can make backing up a challenging, if not downright dangerous, task to accomplish. Rear-view cameras help truck drivers see what is behind their vehicle, so they know when it’s safe to put their truck in motion. Cameras can also help eliminate rearward blind spots, thus helping truck drivers maneuver safely while on the road.

Using Technology to Make the Roads Safer

Technological advances have undoubtedly helped truck drivers perform their jobs safely and efficiently, while simultaneously reducing the risk of collisions. As more warning and crash avoidance systems continue to be developed, we will hopefully see the number of truck crashes and injuries drop over the years to come.