Automobile accidents involving trucks are some of the most devastating collisions, as they can result in serious injuries or even death. As a result, trucking companies have long been investing in technology to help keep their drivers and other vehicles on the road safe.
Trucking Companies Movement To Safety
The trucking industry is a multi-billion dollar business. According to the American Trucking Associations, trucks and truck drivers are responsible for moving more than 70 percent of the nation’s freight by value.
However, it is known that a vast percentage of all truck accidents involve commercial vehicles. In fact, as a reputable trucking accident lawyer firm in Arizona, we have seen many of them!
Looking at statistics, there were more than 4,000 fatalities in crashes involving large trucks or buses in 2020 alone. As such, trucking companies are looking for ways to improve road safety through technology and training initiatives. This is a welcome development, considering that truck accidents account for many deaths and injuries in the United States. Trucking companies are looking at how they can use technology to help their drivers be more efficient and safe on the road.
Embracing Technology Advancements
Technology is changing the way we do business, and it’s also changing the way we live. It has become an integral part of our daily lives, and we expect everything to be fast and convenient.
With this idea in mind, trucking companies have embraced technology to improve their services and make life easier for their customers.
Here are some ways in which trucking companies are embracing technology for road safety:
GPS
GPS or Global Positioning System is a navigation system that uses satellites to pinpoint your exact location and then gives you instructions on how to get where you want to go. They are often used in trucks to help drivers navigate difficult terrain and stay on the road. Satellite tracking can be used to monitor speed, location, fuel consumption, hours of operation, and other factors that may affect a driver’s performance. This can help identify problems before they become major issues that could affect your bottom line.
GPS tracking systems can also help with safety concerns because they allow you to monitor your driver’s location at all times. If there’s an accident or a delay, you’ll be aware immediately and can take action as soon as possible.
The use of cameras in trucks and trailers to monitor driver behavior
Truckers are using rear-mounted cameras to monitor their own driving habits.
Camera-based systems use cameras mounted inside or outside of a truck cab to monitor the driver’s face and eyes for signs of fatigue; they also use infrared lights to detect eye movements behind sunglasses. This type of system doesn’t rely on any special equipment installed in the cab — it just needs an Android or iOS device running an app that connects to a camera mounted on top of the windshield (or inside). It’s vital for drivers who use this type of system to remember that their phone needs cell service to work correctly.
The cameras can be used for recording purposes and improving driver performance on the road. The recorded videos can then be used for training purposes and shared with fellow drivers or supervisors for feedback.
The use of automation systems such as automatic braking systems (ABS) in trucks and trailers
Some trucking companies have already started implementing ABS systems on their fleet vehicles. The system uses sensors to detect when a vehicle is approaching another vehicle too quickly or too closely from behind and automatically applies.
The use of automation systems such as automatic braking systems (ABS) in trucks and trailers is one way trucking companies embrace technology to increase safety on the road. The ABS system monitors the speed of each wheel on a vehicle. It applies the brakes individually if it detects that a wheel is slowing down more quickly than others. This prevents skidding and reduces stopping distance, which is especially important when driving in bad weather conditions.
In addition to improving road safety, ABS also helps drivers by providing more reliable braking performance and reducing fatigue by allowing them to focus on other aspects of driving.
Electronic logging devices (ELDs)
One way in which technology is helping truckers is through the use of electronic logging devices (ELDs). ELDs have been around for several years now and have become a standard part of most commercial trucking fleets. They allow drivers to monitor their driving hours and rest periods and keep track of all aspects of their job, such as fuel consumption and vehicle maintenance. This allows them to avoid any unnecessary risks while on the job, making it easier for them to work safely and efficiently without wasting any time or money in the process.
The trucking industry adapted this through a federal mandate requiring trucking companies to track their drivers’ hours starting Oct. 1, 2017. The ELD rule requires all trucks weighing more than 10,000 pounds and carrying commercial freight to have an ELD installed in their vehicles by December 18, 2019.
The purpose of ELDs is twofold: They allow drivers to log their hours in real-time instead of having to fill out paperwork later, and they let dispatchers know when drivers get off schedule so they can send help if needed. With reliable data from ELDs, trucking companies will be able to improve driver safety by making sure they don’t drive beyond their limits or get behind schedule while driving long distances on highways or freeways.
Trucking and Fleet Management Apps
Trucking and fleet management apps are a useful tool for truckers and fleets to stay on top of their business. They help them increase efficiency, monitor costs, and boost productivity.
These apps can also help monitor drivers’ behaviors, prevent accidents from happening in the first place, and make sure that drivers are following all of the rules when it comes to hours behind the wheel and rest breaks.
Fleet management apps provide you with analytics about how many miles your drivers are logging each day, where they’re going, and at what times of day they’re driving. This information can help you determine if any patterns or trends could lead to accidents or violations of other regulations set by federal agencies like the Department of Transportation (DOT).
Another benefit of having apps that help them communicate with clients and vice versa makes it easy for both parties to communicate about anything from shipment details to payment methods!
Autonomous trucks
The future of trucking is moving closer to becoming a reality. For decades, autonomous vehicles have been a dream of engineers and futurists. Now, that dream is beginning to take shape as auto manufacturers like Tesla, Uber, and Waymo are working on self-driving trucks.
The idea of autonomous vehicles may seem more science fiction than reality today. Still, it’s only a matter of time until these vehicles start driving themselves on our highways and city streets.
Technology For Road Safety
In today’s world, it’s hard to disregard the impact that technology is having on our lives. Nearly every sector is being impacted by new innovations ranging from social media websites (e.g., Facebook, Twitter) to automated robots handling simple tasks (e.g. assembly lines) and even 3D printers capable of entire printing houses in days. While technology has made most of us more effective at work and in our day-to-day lives, it’s not surprising that the trucking industry is also embracing technology to help improve road safety and efficiency for drivers and fleet owners.
