Trucking Safety Gets Better with the Right Technology
Estimates from entities like the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA); the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA); the Oklahoma Trucking Association; and the Oklahoma Highway Safety Office, responsible for compiling truck accident statistics, have put the number of interstate truck and bus companies that operate in Oklahoma at more than 4,500 – the number of trucks that drive on highways and roadways in the state, countless.
With so many trucks on the road, a high rate of truck accidents is expected. Statistics have also revealed that most people killed in Oklahoma truck crashes were those traveling in passenger cars and only a fraction were truck drivers. Given such grueling statistics, trucking companies are implementing a variety of technologies to counter the danger of fatal or near-fatal travel.
Below are some common safety technologies, trucking companies are betting on:
- In-Cab Video will monitor drivers in real time
Trucks installed with an in-cab video are easily monitored by fleet directors, who watch the video footage of the driver within their cab in real time. The camera which captures the video footage combines with computer feeds from the truck to create a real-time recording of the inside happenings in the truck, allowing fleet directors to enforce rules instantly and to identify areas of weakness.
- In-Cab Navigation is your safety net
Imagine a truck driver who’s confused over whether he’s made the correct right turn or one who’s easily distracted while driving – a definite scare for travelers. An in-cab navigation will cut down on distraction and confusion, providing a reliable safety net for all drivers. Efforts are underway to develop a feature where data can be fed automatically at dispatch, eliminating the need for the driver to feed in the address. This will put a stop to last minutes route changes that might crop up.
- Avoid Collision Escape with warning signals
This technology works like a breeze. With an adaptive cruise control, it allows truck drivers to maintain a constant distance from any vehicle ahead of it. An advanced version has automatic braking, radar and alerts to signal the truck driver of any looming rear-end collision
- Sensors can determine a rollover risk
Sensors monitor vehicle dynamics and determine the stability of a truck. They can also sense a rollover risk, and if so, automatically slows down the vehicle.
- Just Signal for Lane Departure
Lane changing can be highly dangerous. The Land Department technology will alert the driver to use his signal if he wants to enter another lane without signaling at a certain speed.
While technology is being implemented to increase safety levels, nothing works better than a careful driver. Even the best of technology will not save a driver who is reckless and drives in a manner that is unsafe.
In the unlucky event of a truck mishap, you can reach out to Oklahoma’s truck accident attorney’s or semi truck accident lawyers to ensure that you are compensated for the physical, emotional, and mental trauma that you were put through