technological breakthroughsThese technological breakthroughs are providing the best solutions to prevent truck accidents on the road.

Technology benefits all industries, and the truck industry is no exception. For instance, GPS and tracking systems are the first things that come into mind when talking about technologies used in trucks. However, every year, new advancements are introduced that have allowed trucking technology to go beyond navigation. 

Trucking companies worldwide are now investing in these new technologies. After all, the more these things prevent accidents, the more deliveries they can fulfill as scheduled, and the more they can avoid costly repairs and costly litigations that require the assistance of an experienced attorney.

Here are seven examples of current technological breakthroughs that are preventing truck accidents on the road:

Automatic Electric Brakes

One of the newest on this list is the automatic electric brake technology. It's a crash avoidance system that can warn drivers about road obstructions and accidents. It utilizes radar technology to make a truck brake automatically once it detects an imminent crash. It also helps in maintaining distance between vehicles on the road.  

Forward Collision-Avoidance

This is another crash avoidance system that uses radars and sensors to notify drivers that their truck is about to crash or collide with another vehicle in front. In case the driver fails to react in time, the system automatically applies the brakes to prevent the truck from crashing into another vehicle or lessen the impact of collision as much as possible. 

Electronic Stability Control

ECS (electronic stability control) is another technological breakthrough that’s now often seen in many modern vehicles. It's incredibly useful, especially when it comes to reducing the risk of road accidents. In fact, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) already issued an order that all vehicles must be equipped with ECS. 

Like other driver alert systems, ESC monitors the tire movement of the truck and the driver’s steering wheel activity. Once it detects a defect, the system immediately triggers its features, which decreases the speed of the vehicle. Thanks to its fast reaction time and accuracy, ESC has become extremely useful when driving in bad road conditions or if there are obstructions.

Dual-Facing Cameras

Dual-facing cameras are used to record the interior of a truck and the traffic on the road. They assist trucking companies, especially those that are in the logistics and supply chain industry, in monitoring the behavior and performance of their drivers and providing real-time footage of the traffic.

These cameras have been an integral part of their screening and driver training process as they help in improving the conduct of their drivers and make them more responsible when on the road. Additionally, the footage recorded by these cameras also helps investigators in gathering evidence in the event of an accident. 

Rear-View Cameras

Visual limitations are one of the major causes of concern for truck drivers. Thankfully, cameras now offer solutions for this problem. By using cameras, drivers can now see the back of the truck clearly. Rear-view cameras also help in eliminating blind spots on larger vehicles. 

Lane Departure Technology

Lane departure technology is an effective tool in assisting drivers who always fail to stay in lane. This is a very common issue among distracted and drowsy drivers that causes collisions on the road. For example, the truck may collide with a vehicle on the other lane or may drift into the path of oncoming traffic which results in a tragic head-on crash. 

This technology uses cameras and onboard computers to alert drivers if they’re starting to depart from their lane. Once triggered, the system will automatically steer your vehicle away from a possible collision should the driver fail to react in time. 

Autonomous Cruise Control (ACC)

Although cruise control has been around for some time now, it’s still one of the best technologies when it comes to making long-distance driving safer and more bearable. ACC is an advanced type of cruise control that automatically adjusts the speed of a vehicle so it can maintain a safe distance from other vehicles on the road.

There is also a more advanced option for ACC that’s called Cooperative Adaptive Cruise Control. This option collects information from satellites, roadside cameras, and other mobile infrastructure on the road to figure out the distance between vehicles and automatically adjust the speed. 

Final Thoughts

Trucks are getting smarter and safer thanks to the technological breakthroughs introduced in the past few years. Some trucks are now equipped with advanced technology with the ability to steer, brake, and drive themselves. These technologies are vital as they decrease the risk of road accidents and keep the drivers, passengers, and pedestrians safe while on the road.