Truck Upgrades Make Fleets Safer and More Cost-Effective
February 27, 2020
Many commercial trucking companies are replacing their older trucks with newer, more eco-friendly trucks that come equipped with a range of advanced safety technology. Although the cost to invest in a fleet of new trucks is significant, the truck companies will see immediate cost savings in fuel and maintenance. More importantly, the improved safety technology makes these new trucks significantly safer, both for the truck drivers and other motorists sharing the roads.
According to a truck lifecycle data index, fleet operators who upgrade from a 2015 sleeper model to a 2020 version can save nearly $17,000 per truck in the first year. For a truck company whose fleet includes 100 trucks, that translates to roughly $1.7 million in savings. New trucks are more fuel efficient, so they are less expensive to run. In addition, they are less likely to need regular maintenance or expensive repairs if they are new.
More Fleets Are Considering the Benefits of Safety to Their Bottom Line
Today’s new trucks are equipped with innovative safety technologies, such as stability control and lane-departure systems. These prevent devastating truck accidents that can cause severe injuries, particularly to the occupants of the passenger vehicles involved in the accident. According to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), nearly half of all two-vehicle accidents that occurred between 2012 and 2015 were rear-end collisions. Eighty-seven percent of those accidents involved a driver who was distracted and not paying attention to the road ahead. A study by the NTSB revealed that approximately 1,700 fatal rear-end accidents could have been prevented if the truck was equipped with a collision-avoidance system.
In 2017, there was a 28 percent increase in collision-warning systems on large trucks, and a 39 percent increase in 2018, due to the increased visibility that this technology provides. After the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards No. 136 mandate was released in 2017, all major equipment manufacturers began offering collision avoidance and lane departure as part of their standard package offerings. This resulted in significant safety improvements.
Newer trucks appeal to truck drivers as well because they are more comfortable, and the advanced technology makes their job easier and more efficient. Truck companies can ultimately save money by enticing truck drivers with advanced vehicles, rather than offering costly signing bonuses. Newer trucks also produce far less carbon emissions than older models. When drivers deliver the goods on time and cause little to no damage, customer satisfaction improves and business continues to grow.
Baltimore Truck Accident Lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton Represent Victims of Devastating Truck Accidents
If you or a loved one was seriously injured in a truck accident involving an outdated truck, contact the Baltimore truck accident lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton at your earliest convenience. Many of these accidents can be avoided if truck companies invest in new trucks with improved safety technology. We will conduct a thorough investigation and determine who is responsible for causing the accident. Our skilled legal team will seek the maximum financial compensation you deserve. To schedule a free consultation, call us today at 800-547-4LAW (4529) or contact us online.
Our offices are located in Baltimore, Columbia, Glen Burnie, and Prince George’s County, allowing us to represent victims in Maryland, including those in Anne Arundel County, Baltimore County, Carroll County, Harford County, Howard County, Montgomery County, Maryland’s Western Counties, Prince George’s County, Queen Anne’s County, Southern Maryland, and the Eastern Shore, as well as the communities of Catonsville, Essex, Halethorpe, Middle River, Rosedale, Gwynn Oak, Brooklandville, Dundalk, Pikesville, Nottingham, Windsor Mill, Lutherville, Timonium, Sparrows Point, Ridgewood, and Elkridge.
