The trucking industry is one of the most dangerous jobs in America. In 2019, 843 truck drivers were killed on the job, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Truck drivers caused 26.8 workplace deaths per 100,000 workers in the United States. In contrast, all other workers in the United States experience 3.5 fatalities per 100,000.
With so many people traveling by car, it’s essential to understand why many truckers are dying on the job and what can be done. There are many reasons why trucking is so dangerous: long hours, poor safety training, and lack of sleep are just a few factors contributing to this issue. But technology may hold some answers for helping keep these men and women safe on the road.
The Trucking Industry and How Truck Accident Lawyers Help
Historically, trucking has been one of the most dangerous industries in the world. The transportation of goods continues to increase, as do truck accidents and fatalities. Truck drivers are constantly on the road, driving long hours and making multiple stops along their routes. This makes them vulnerable to fatigue, which can lead to severe crashes.
Truck accident lawyers have the experience and resources to file personal injury claims on your behalf. They will also help you determine whether you have a case where you can collect money for damages.
Expert South Carolina truck accident lawyers suggested that the sooner you contact an attorney, the more likely they will be able to recover compensation for your losses.
With the rise in distracted driving, truck drivers are also at risk of getting into car accidents. One of the ways to combat this is through trucking safety tools.
These Five Technologies Will Help Prevent Truck Accidents
Truck drivers can benefit from transportation technology by using it as a means to reduce their risks on the road. Trucking safety tools help them avoid distractions and stay focused on the road. It also provides them with information to help them decide about their next moves. The following technologies can be utilized to reduce truck incidents on the road.
Telematics
Telematics technology is a system that uses GPS, cellular phone signals, and other wireless communications to track the location of vehicles. Telematics can monitor vehicle speed and behavior, mileage, fuel usage, and diagnostics. This technology has many benefits, including:
- Vehicle Tracking: By monitoring the location of vehicles, dispatchers can better plan routes and optimize productivity.
- Driver Management: Sensors in trucks can track how fast drivers are going and how well they are driving overall. This data can be used to reward good drivers with bonuses or punish poor ones by lowering their pay or removing their route privileges.
- Fleet Management: Using telematics data can help fleet managers identify safe drivers and offer them more work or find the most fuel-efficient routes.
Dual-facing Cameras
Trucks, vehicles, buses, and trains use dual-facing cameras. Drivers can view their surroundings on a monitor in their cab while focusing on the road. This helps when the motorist needs to see behind them while parking or turning.
These cameras can also be put on cab screens so other drivers can observe what’s happening outside. This way, if someone is in danger or needs help, help can be supplied without a radio or phone connection.
Collision Avoidance Systems
Collision avoidance systems use cameras, radar, and other sensors to detect obstacles and take action to avoid them. Several different types of collision avoidance systems have been developed for trucks, including adaptive cruise control systems (ACC), lane departure warning systems (LDWS), and blind spot detection systems (BSD).
Electronic Stability Control
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) is a technology that helps drivers maintain control of their vehicle when driving on slippery surfaces or during inclement weather. ESC uses sensors to measure how fast the vehicle is moving, how much weight is on each wheel, and if one of the wheels is spinning faster. If ESC senses that one of these things is happening, it automatically reduces engine power and applies brakes to correct the vehicle’s course.
Autonomous Cruise Control
Autonomous cruise control is a feature that allows a driver to set the vehicle to maintain a specific distance from the car in front of them. It’s helpful on long road trips when you don’t want to constantly check your speed and distance from traffic ahead. For drivers who spend many hours on the road every day, this feature can also reduce fatigue when traveling long distances.
Main Causes of Truck Accidents
Truck accidents are a common occurrence on our roads, and the reasons for these accidents vary from vehicle to vehicle. Truck drivers are typically at fault for the accident in many situations due to their negligence or failure to comply with safety regulations. However, there are also instances in which other vehicles cause truck accidents due to their negligence or failure to follow safe driving practices.
The main causes of truck accidents are:
Driver Error
A driver’s mistake is the leading cause of accidents involving large trucks. This can include speeding, not paying attention to the road or other vehicles on the road, or driving while distracted by cell phones or other devices.
Vehicle Malfunction
Some trucking companies fail to properly maintain their vehicles before sending them out on a route. This can result in vehicle malfunctions that cause serious injuries and fatalities when an accident occurs.
Speeding
Speeding causes most car accidents, but driving a big truck is especially perilous. Big trucks take longer to stop and have less steering and braking control than cars. If you drive too quickly or your brakes fail, you could strike another vehicle, lose control of your truck, and crash into something else.
Fatigue
Truck drivers may be fatigued for several reasons. They may not get enough sleep at night or drive long distances without taking breaks from driving. Fatigue can cause drivers to become distracted or make mistakes behind the wheel, which leads to crashes.
Conclusion
Truck drivers are among the most vulnerable on the roadways. They often work long hours, driving in all weather conditions, and they generally make their living by transporting large and heavy loads.
That’s why it’s so important for truck drivers to use their best efforts to stay safe on the road. One way to do this is by using transportation technology, which gives drivers more information about their surroundings and helps them make better decisions about how they drive.
Dan has hands-on experience in digital marketing since 2007. He has been building teams and coaching others to foster innovation and solve real-time problems. Dan also enjoys photography and traveling.
