THE UNITED STATES – September 2, 2020 – According to an online news report from news12.com, a new study suggests that emerging technology such as forward collision warning systems and automatic emergency braking systems on large commercial trucks could prevent 40% or more rea-end accidents annually. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety produced a study which […]
Emergency braking systems cut accidents
THE UNITED STATES – September 2, 2020 – According to an online news report from news12.com, a new study suggests that emerging technology such as forward collision warning systems and automatic emergency braking systems on large commercial trucks could prevent 40% or more rea-end accidents annually.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety produced a study which evaluated the how these new safety technologies reduced the severity of large truck, rear-end collisions by reducing the speed of the truck by as much as 50% moment before impact. The reduction in speed showed a notable reduction in the amount of damage caused during the accident which would reduce the severity and number of injuries and fatalities in rear-end collisions involving large trucks.
As a result of the study’s findings, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety is asking the federal government to mandate these devices be installed on trucks manufactured in the future. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, many trucking companies have begun the process of adding these new technologies, such as emergency braking, on their fleet of semi tractor-trailer trucks.
According to the news report, commercial trucks with collision warning systems were involved in 44% fewer rear-end collisions and trucks with automatic emergency braking systems had reduced rear-end collisions by as much as 40%. The report claims that more than 4,100 people were killed in truck accidents in 2018 and of those fatal accidents, 119 of those fatal accidents were rear-end truck accidents.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regulate the commercial trucking industry. The agencies stated that they will examine the findings in the new IIHS report. In 2015, The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration started the regulatory process that permits the agency to begin evaluating automatic braking systems and forward collision warning systems for use in large trucks.
The American Trucking Association, a private industry group who represents several large trucking companies, stated that they support new regulations that require automatic emergency braking systems on new passenger and commercial vehicles.
AAA and other motor safety advocates have conducted similar studies measuring the efficacy of automatic emergency braking systems and several other driver-assist features. AAA stated that the systems failed to function on some occasions.
At Parker Waichman LLP, our legal professionals work hard to make sure that truck accident victims receive the compensation they deserve for their personal injuries. Contact us today at 1-800-YOUR-LAWYER (1-800-968-7529) or fill out our online form to get a free consultation.
