New Technology to Prevent Drowsy Driving in the Trucking Industry

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Drowsy driving is a serious issue among truck drivers because of long hours behind the wheel, driving through the night, and pressure to meet tight deadlines. Despite rules that require truck drivers to rest between shifts and not exceed a certain number of hours behind the wheel, drowsy driving continues to be a problem that plagues the industry. A wearable technology has been developed that can alert drivers if they become too fatigued. From caps and vests to wristbands and eye wear, the technology uses biometric sensors to warn drivers when they show signs of fatigue.

Fatigue is underreported as an accident cause. For example, the cause of a truck accident may be listed as poor road conditions, but driver fatigue may have impacted the driver’s ability to react quickly to road conditions. According to one 18-year industry veteran, approximately 70 percent of the accidents in his fleet are caused by drowsy driving.

One of the first attempts at monitoring drowsy driving was to install driver-facing cameras in the truck’s cab. The system would register when a driver began to show signs of drowsiness, including drooping eyelids, yawning, and nodding off. However, this technology did not become popular because of privacy concerns.

SmartCap Life Headband Detects Drowsy Driving

SmartCap is a headband that fits easily under truck caps. It uses biometric sensors to measure brain waves and translate them to measurements of alertness or fatigue. If the device senses that the driver is becoming drowsy, it will notify the driver, as well as a central monitoring system. Once alerted, the driver must do whatever is necessary to feel more rested and alert, whether that means stopping for food, getting some fresh air, or taking a nap.

According to a Cornell University professor, wearable technology is just a bandage for the bigger issue. Rather than developing technology to detect drowsy driving, changes are needed within the industry, including how drivers are paid. For example, drivers must wait for hours while the cargo is loaded or unloaded at the warehouse facility. Often, they are not paid for the time they are waiting, but the wait time increases their fatigue. Truck companies should help drivers get in and out of the loading bays more quickly. In addition, drivers should always be paid for the waiting time.

Baltimore Truck Accident Lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton Represent Victims of Drowsy Driving Truck Accidents

If you were injured in a truck accident involving a drowsy driver, contact the Baltimore truck accident lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton as soon as possible. Injuries from truck accidents tend to be severe, so we will guide you through the claims process and secure the maximum financial compensation you deserve. We will continue to fight for you until you are completely satisfied. 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.