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June 24, 2020
- Trucking Accidents
- By Cesar Ornelas
What About Truck Safety Systems?
There are current truck safety systems that are helping to save lives and reduce costs, but new systems are making the future look even more promising for increased safety and lower insurance pricing.
Many of the improvements have occurred through advancements in sensor and camera technologies, paving the way for the next generation of vehicle safety technologies.
Most common truck safety system features today are found in forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring. These systems provide audible and/or visual alerts in the vehicle cab to alert the driver about an impending incident.
The next evolution of safety systems involves system intervention, where the safety system will react if the driver does not. One example is automatic emergency braking. With this functionality, the system will apply brakes automatically in the event an object is detected and the driver does not actively engage the brake.
Kary Schaefer, general manager of product strategy and marketing for Daimler Trucks North America, stated, “Research shows that the vast majority of motor vehicle accidents are tied to human error, and safety systems that are available on the market today save lives and can reduce damage,” Schaefer said.
Continued Camera Integration In Safety Systems
The next evolution of vehicle safety systems, which has allowed the commercial vehicle to intervene on behalf of the driver when an object is detected, includes object recognition through the camera and sensor technology that works together, known as “fused technology”. According to a recent study, there were 22,000 tractor-trailer accidents in other States like Illinois in a recent year.
“Fused technology uses information from the radar and camera to detect, to classify and determine what objects are in the truck’s path,” Schaefer advised. “When the camera and the radar work together in fusion, or in conjunction, object recognition is greatly increased. And this increase in object recognition can improve the braking, performance and object detection on moving or stationary vehicles, as well as moving pedestrians.”
Schaefer expects camera technology to advance to the point where driver-facing cameras will be integrated into the safety systems, in addition to surround-view cameras and backup cameras integrated into commercial vehicle safety systems as well. Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), developed from active safety systems, have provided safety technology focused on offering an improved driver experience and comfort. Common ADAS features available on commercial vehicles today include:
- Active steering, a safety and fatigue-reducing feature which provides “micro-steering” functionality making slight adjustments to the steering wheel, especially noticeable at slow speeds and while backing the vehicle.
- Adaptive cruise control, which monitors objects immediately in front of the vehicle to maintain a similar and consistent speed and distance between other vehicles. In some systems, this technology can bring the vehicle to 0 mph.
- Lane keep assistance, which keeps the vehicle centered in the lane with minimal effort from the driver.
- Automatic headlights, high beams and wiper blades, which “use sensors on the vehicle to detect ambient light detect rain, and they will automatically turn off or adjust the headlights and wipers depending on conditions,” advised Schaefer.
Outlook For Future Systems
Schaefer also suggested service providers and telematics will more readily utilize cameras as part of the safety functionality going forward for vehicles. “In the increasing times of litigation and legal costs, having an integrated video camera can help save in legal costs, help exonerate drivers in the case of no-fault found at the spot of an accident,” she said. “And they’re quickly becoming required equipment for medium and large fleet operators.”
The integration of camera technology will help to improve driver skills through monitoring and coaching, reduce driver-initiated crashes, reduce idling and help lower insurance costs, Schaefer advised. With this technology integrated, camera systems monitoring drivers could respond to drowsiness or driver distractions through active intervention systems.
“We see more and more integration of that type of camera systems and video services into our safety system,” Schaefer said. “Some of the benefits that we have heard from the large video service providers in the market are a significant improvement in driver’s skills, a significant reduction in reportable accidents, lower costs from (insurance) claims and reduced idling in vehicles because they’re able to monitor what’s happening in the vehicle from the video, and also matching that to the telematics information that’s available.”
What Fleets Need To Consider
Can commercial vehicle safety systems reduce insurance premiums? Schaefer suggested it’s possible.
“Being able to utilize the (safety system) information, the data of the vehicle, we think there’s an opportunity for insurance providers to consider that in a reduction of insurance premiums and rates in the future,” said Schaefer.
“Many large fleets are self-insured, but there’s a move for the other private insurance companies to also look at how they could reduce the rates for their customers,” Schaefer added. Current and future vehicle safety systems may do just that.
Safety systems can also act as a driver retention and recruitment tool. With that, it is important that drivers also understand the functionality of the systems through comprehensive training provided by OEMs and suppliers that develop those systems.
Additionally, fleets may see a reduction in repair costs and litigation. “We had one customer tell us that the average cost rate for repair and their fleet after an accident was $7,500. Once they adopted the safety systems — collision mitigation systems — that dropped to $300 per repair,” Shaefer said.
Research is key to finding what would be most suitable for each fleet. “It’s really important that fleet owners, safety managers, maintenance VPs, all understand what’s available on the market and what systems make the most sense for their operation,” said Schaefer. “Look at how those systems can fit into your safety ecosystem. You’ll be able to take advantage of both the benefits from a profit and liability standpoint, but also certainly the ability to recruit and retain drivers.” Article Source
Injured In An Accident? Call Cesar.
If you or someone you know has been involved in a truck accident, call Cesar Ornelas, an experienced and capable lawyer who knows how to help you in your time of need. Cesar and his successful team are ready to offer you a FREE CONSULTATION at which time your situation will be evaluated and you will be informed as to what can be done on your behalf. Don’t try to carry this burden alone. Cesar is only a phone call or mouse click away. Call him today at toll-free 855-827-2892 or 210-981-4890 or fill out our contact form. Give Ornelas Law Firm the opportunity to lift your burden and make sure you get the relief you deserve.
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Originally from Kyle, Texas, Mr. Ornelas is a first-generation college graduate and a first-generation attorney.
Licensed in Texas, Cesar Ornelas’s nationwide practice is entirely contingency fee-based and consists of a wide variety of catastrophic personal injury and death cases. He has represented countless victims of catastrophic accidents across the United States.
