1,690 speed-related citations and 2,549 warnings were issued to commercial vehicle drivers during the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s Operation Safer Driver Week safety initiative. 94% of road accidents are caused by drivers and, in large truck crashes, 71% of deaths are occupants of the passenger vehicle. Fortunately, new technology is helping improve commercial vehicle safety and preventing accidents and deaths.
360° vision technology
360° vision technology is drastically improving commercial vehicle safety — especially for large heavy goods vehicles (HGVs), which make it challenging to assess the surrounding space you have to work with. Blind spots only add to this difficulty. To improve vision and awareness, 360° vision technology mounts cameras around the vehicle and displays the feed on a dashboard monitor. Vision Techniques VT Overview system, for example, is especially designed for low-speed maneuvering in all directions. By providing the driver with a 360° view of the vehicle exterior, awareness of surroundings improves and accidents and scrapes can be prevented.
Automatic emergency braking
Most new commercial vehicles will come with automatic emergency braking by 2022. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, automatic emergency braking will slash traffic accidents by 50% and prevent 12,000 injuries by 2025. This life-changing feature ensures brakes are automatically engaged in hazardous situations before an accident can occur. Commercial vehicles, in particular, account for a large number of road accidents — over 4,100 people lost their lives in accidents involving large trucks in 2019. Fortunately, legal support is available to help those involved in semi- or heavy-truck accidents recover compensation for property damage, medical expenses, and lost earnings. Keep in mind there’s no average semi truck accident settlement amount claimants should expect since the variables that influence payouts are so numerous and wide ranging.
Digital video recorders
Advanced mobile digital video recorders (DVRs) are key to preventing theft and vandalism, as well as tackling fraudulent insurance claims against HGVs. False claims can wrongly cost businesses millions of dollars every year. Fortunately, DVRs for commercial vehicles can provide forward- and rear-facing cameras to accurately record events and aid investigations.
Advancements in driving technology are playing an essential role in improving safety in commercial vehicles. 360° vision technology, automatic emergency braking, and DVRs are some of the latest innovations working to prevent traffic accidents and keep roads safe.
