Carriers Ordered to Adopt New Truck Safety Technology
November 29, 2017
The Alliance for Driver Safety & Security, also known as the Trucking Alliance, is urging all carriers to take proactive steps toward reducing truck accidents. For a carrier to qualify for membership in the Alliance, they must adopt certain advanced technologies believed by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety to be the most effective at saving lives.
Based on a new report by the AAA Foundation, “Leveraging Large Truck Technology and Engineering to Realize Safety Gains,” carriers should install the following advanced safety technologies in their large commercial trucks:
- Lane Departure Warning Systems – to warn the driver if the vehicle drifts out of the lane
- Video-Based Onboard Safety Monitoring – system that uses video cameras and sensors
- Automatic Emergency Braking Systems – causes vehicle to brake automatically if the truck is in danger of hitting the vehicle in front of it
- Air Disc Brakes – these are improvement to drum a vehicle’s brakes
Many truck carriers have already begun to adopt these new technologies, but this is the first time an organization is making it mandatory for membership.
According to the President of the Trucking Alliance and Chairman/CEO of Maverick USA, the report shows how effective these technologies are at keeping our roads safer, both for truck drivers and other motorists who share the roads.
Benefits of Improved Safety Technology
According to the AAA Foundation report, installing automatic braking systems and air disc brakes can help prevent over 7,700 accidents, 92 deaths, and approximately 4,200 injuries. The on-board cameras and lane departure warning systems could help prevent another 69,372 truck accidents and more than 400 fatalities and 24,100 injuries.
In addition to being well-trained, drug- and alcohol-free, and well-rested, the Trucking Alliance carriers must adopt the following standards:
- Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) – ELDs have Automatic On-Board Recording Devices (AOBRDs) and must be installed in all trucks by December 18, 2017.
- Truck Speed Limiters – These prevent trucks from exceeding 65 mph.
- Hair Testing – This is an alternative, and more reliable method of testing for drug use.
- Public Liability Insurance – Carriers must maintain liability insurance coverage that is higher than the minimum federal requirement to cover costs associated with a truck accident, including injuries, fatalities, and property damage.
- Truck Safety Technologies – All new, Class 8 trucks must have lane departure warning systems, onboard video monitoring, automatic emergency braking, and air disk brakes.
- Driver Hiring and Training Programs – Conduct extensive pre-employment screenings, and provide ongoing driver training programs to attract and retain the most qualified employees.
Baltimore Truck Accident Lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton Advocate for Victims of Truck Accidents
If you have been injured in a truck accident, contact our Baltimore truck accident lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton. We will determine the cause of the accident and hold the negligent parties accountable. 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 Towson, allowing us to represent truck accident victims in Maryland, including those in Anne Arundel County, Carroll County, Harford County, Howard County, Montgomery County, Maryland’s Western Counties, 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.
