Using Technology to Curtail Truck Accidents Caused by Speeding

Various factors cause truck accidents, and some can be catastrophic. Speeding is among the chief causes of these accidents.

These accidents lead to significant threats to road safety as well as consequences that significantly harm the individuals involved, from the drivers to passengers to bystanders.

In modern times, technology offers new hope and solutions to all the problems that one faces in day-to-day life for companies working in trucking and freight.

This blog gives an insight into technology and how it can help reduce speed-related accidents with trucks. Remember that if you or your loved one was involved in a truck accident then you need to contact a  18-wheeler accidetn lawyer in San Antonio.

What is The Role of Technology in Minimizing Truck Accidents Due to Speeding?

Here are a few technologies in the market that help address the issue of truck speeding:

Telematic Systems

Telematics systems play a crucial role in monitoring and controlling the truck speed. These systems are equipped with GPS technology and often have onboard sensors to track real-time location, speed, and various other parameters of the vehicle.

The data can be accessed by fleet managers remotely. They can warn the driver if the truck exceeds the speed limit and can take immediate action to stop the accident.

The telematics system is also equipped with other features like speed limit alerts and geofencing in case the truck goes beyond these parameters. Then, the fleet manager can act proactively instead of suddenly when an accident occurs.

Electronic Logging Devices

An electronic logging device or ELD is an electronic device that is used in commercial motor vehicles to track and record driving hours and other parameters.

The ELD is designed by the factory not only to record drivers’ hours of service (HOS) but also their driving behavior. Drivers and fleet managers receive immediate alerts when a speeding violation is detected, and immediate action can mitigate the crisis.

Collision Avoidance Systems:

Using collision avoidance systems is another latest technology that can promise to reduce truck accidents and speeding.

The system includes sensors, cameras, and an advanced algorithm to detect the high chance of a collision and open a signal accordingly to the driver.

Sometimes, these systems can automatically apply brakes or adjust the speed of the vehicle to avoid a collision. This gives extra features for truck drivers and frees them from speeding accidents.

Driver Monitoring and Training:

Not only the technology but also the comprehensive driver monitoring and training programs can be a good solution for reducing truck drivers’ speeding behavior.

Some of the advanced monitoring systems, like dash cameras, driver-facing cameras, etc., help the owners of the fleet to monitor the drivers closely so that the driver does not commit the mistake of crossing the speed.

There are continuous training programs for drivers about the cause of speeding and the path to safe driving.

This can avoid accidents and other speeding-related problems for truck drivers.

Speed Limiting Devices:

The devices that can restrict the maximum speed of a vehicle are called speed-limiting devices.

The devices are referred to as speed governors and are intelligent electronic devices.

The devices are programmed in a way that complies with the speed limits and allows the trucks and other vehicles to move beyond the programmed speed.

Speed management systems offer numerous advantages for efficient fleet operation and optimized safety of trucks, freight, and drivers.

Advantages of Speed Management for Trucks

1. Decrease in Accidents

The most vital advantage of speed management systems is the decrease in the number of accidents occurring due to commercial truckers.

These systems ensure that the trucks do not exceed the speed limit and operate safely. This precaution helps to reduce the chances of a collision due to excessive speed.

When there are fewer accidents, it translates into fewer deaths, injuries, and destruction of property, and thus, the ultimate reduction in cost for trucking companies, as well as society in general.

2. Enhanced Safety of the Driver

Speed management systems ensure that drivers abide by responsible driving. The system sends them real-time alerts about the speed enables them to know risky and rash driving maneuvers and what steps need to be avoided in order to secure the driver and the roads.

3. Increase in Compliance and Regulation

The integration of speed management systems ensures that the speed limit enforced by regulatory standards is met.

In some places, the speed limit of commercial trucks is regulated and enforced by law, making it mandatory for trucking companies to incorporate the system at the tie of sale.

This way, trucking companies can abide by the law and escape penalties.

The devices also ensure that the truckers maintain a proper management system.

4. It helps in Fleet management

These systems play a crucial role in management of the fleet. They are able to monitor the performance of the fleets constantly and make decisions that are involved with safe driving.

The system constantly checks the speed and performance of the driver’s fleet by alerting them about the measures to take if the speed increases the areas to avoid, thereby playing an important role in fleet monitoring and fleet management.