"Technologies like anti-lock braking and stability control were once seen as pioneering innovations and are now required or standard features. Looking to the future, we hope the cost for these technologies continues to come down, allowing more drivers to enjoy the safety, economy and performance they provide." –John Nielsen, director of automotive engineering and repair for AAA
It should come as no surprise to truckers that many design and technology innovations being heralded in the light-duty vehicle segment for sedans, pickup trucks, etc., are exactly the same ones occurring in the heavy-duty space as well.
The biggest significance of the vehicle trends highlighted in a recent missive from AAA (formerly the American Automobile Association) is that they were once only offered for luxury vehicles.
Now, many more “average” motorists are getting access to lane departure warning systems, “automatic braking” technology and the like, which should hopefully make the roadways safer not just for them but for big rigs as well.
That’s largely because, according to accident research conducted by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) several years ago showed that blame for the truck-car collision fatality rate shouldn’t be placed on truckers alone, as in 73% of the truck-car crashes studied, no unsafe act on the part of the truck driver caused the accident.
Other crash data compiled from that research indicated that that car drivers are four times more likely to rear end a truck than truckers are to rear end cars; are 10 times more likely to crash into a truck head on than vice versa; are three times more likely to speed in poor road conditions (such as rain) than truck drivers; and are eight times more likely to be involved in crashes involving drowsiness than truckers.
Thus the new trends in light vehicle design and technological enhancement AAA is cheering could play a critical role in helping reduce those statistics:
Driver Alert Warning System: Again originally introduced just for costly luxury models, this technology Looks” for signs of an inattentive or tired driver via a diverse array of methods that range from lane departure to monitoring the driver's movements via cameras.
Yet AAA is also concerned about the distractions some of these systems may cause among drivers, too; showing that the “law of unintended consequences” is still in full force.
“These new technologies can be distracting to a driver,” stressed John Nielsen, director of automotive engineering and repair for AAA. “It's important to comply with the guidelines provided for their use and most importantly keep driving your car the number one focus while operating the vehicle.”
That’s just one of those concerns we’ll need to keep in mind as truckers and motorists alike adapt their driving habits to incorporate the use of new safety systems.