How Truck Technology Can Prevent Accidents
The trucking industry is facing a number of challenges that lend themselves to increased risks of accidents. From a shrinking pool of competent drivers to yearly increases in road congestion and the general overworking of current truckers, there are a number of factors that have made the roads more dangerous for the common driver.
Under everyday circumstances, there are various ways in which a driver can be injured or even killed by the actions of a negligent or overworked truck driver. Thankfully, even as this threat increases, technology is adapting to help meet these challenges.
Unfortunately, tech has not yet reached the degree in which it can protect drivers 100 percent. If you find yourself involved in a truck accident, depend on the Houston trucking accident attorneys of Lapeze & Johns to help you protect your rights and seek compensation for the damages you have suffered.
Emerging Truck Safety Technology
According to the American Automobile Association , truck safety technology has the potential to prevent a whopping 63,000 truck-related crashes per year. This could potentially safeguard hundreds of thousands of lives; as per the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, there were 475,000 accidents involving trucks in 2016.
Some safety systems that have emerged include:
- Blind Spot Monitoring Systems: This function aids truckers to deal with the complications of wide blind spots, particularly on the left side of the vehicle.
- Lane Keeping Systems: This tech diminishes the risk of collisions caused by driver fatigue or a misstep by monitoring the truck’s location on the road.
- Automatic Braking Systems: Prevents collisions caused by a trucker’s delayed or missed reactions, especially on congested roads, highways, or at an intersection.
- Truck Driver Monitoring Systems: Encourages truck drivers to remain aware and focused rather than driving distracted or tired.
Unfortunately, the implementation of these technologies is not legally required. This means that in order to keep costs down, trucking companies have generally chosen NOT to update their trucks, regardless of the great potential of increased safety.
The age of a vehicle is also a limiting factor in regards to whether a truck can receive these emerging technologies.
All Drivers Must Remain Responsible
Ways in which truck drivers can assure their own safety, as well as those on the road without these safety technologies, include:
- Getting sufficient sleep
- Not staying on the road for longer than the legal maximum of 12 hours
- Taking adequate breaks
- Monitoring weather patterns
- Avoiding the use of tech when behind the wheel
- Avoiding the use of drugs (both legal and illegal) and alcohol when behind the wheel
- Remaining diligent and aware of their surroundings
Ways that drivers can protect their safety – as well as their passengers’ – when sharing the road with trucks that are not equipped with safety technology, includes:
- Avoiding tailgating trucks or following them too closely
- Following traffic laws
- Avoiding movement on the truck driver’s left side where they have a narrower blind spot
- Following all safety signs and posted speed limits
- Avoiding the use of alcohol and other drugs when driving
Houston truck accident attorneys on your side.
Even with the emergence of these safety features, accidents are unavoidable. Our Houston truck accident attorneys at Lapeze & Johns are armed with the skills and experience necessary to protect you rights and help you recuperate from the losses that come with a truck accident.
Contact the dependable Houston truck accident attorneys of Lapeze & Johns today at (713) 766-0075 for a FREE legal consultation.
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