Technology could provide greater protection against truck accidents

Safety warning systems for forward collision prevention and automatic braking reduce accidents. In fact, many trucking companies require them for their trucks. Even so, there is no federal law that requires trucks to have these warning systems. However, that may change.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) sent study result findings to two top government agencies. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) are reviewing the report on safety warning systems. The findings were significant.

IIHS Study Findings

The IIHS does research for auto insurers. It conducted a study that examined crash data for 62 trucking companies using tractor trailers or big rigs that weighed at least 33,000 pounds. The study included approximately 2,000 crashes during 2017 through 2019 for more than 2 billion miles of travel. Researchers compared trucks with collision warning, emergency braking and no crash prevention equipment.

The findings were:

  • Trucks with collision warning systems had 22% fewer crashes than trucks without them
  • Automatic emergency braking systems in trucks resulted in 12% fewer crashes
  • Collision warning systems reduced rear end crashes by 44%
  • Automatic emergency braking lessened rear end crashes by 41%

Compare the above with the fact that since 2009, large truck crashes have risen close to 33%.

The IIHS recommended that federal agencies make such systems mandatory in trucks.

What You Should Know About Safety Warning Systems

The European Union has required automatic emergency braking with forward collision warning systems in large trucks since 2013. Even if the systems cannot prevent a crash, they can often mitigate the severity of an accident.

Have You Been Seriously Injured in a Truck Accident?

Truck accidents can result in devastating injuries, not to mention fatalities. The Law Office of Michael R. De La Paz has successfully handled truck accident cases through Texas, in the north and south along with the east and west from Terrell to Abilene. Find out how we can protect your rights in an accident claim.