Year after year, statistics indicate that the most destructive and deadly road accidents involve large trucks. The class-8 tractor trailer rig is one of the largest vehicles on the road with one, two and sometimes three attached trailers. These types of trucks require considerable distance to make stops when driving at highway speeds. A tractor-trailer can weigh 40 tons or more while an average vehicle weighs about 2.5 tons. A passenger car needs about 300 feet to come to a stop while a tractor trailer may need as much as 525 feet. Failure to brake in time or with adequate distance from other cars and trucks often leads to the worst accidents including truck tipping and jack-knifing.
Enhancing driver training and monitoring drivers for adherence to safety protocols is important, but improving safety technology for trucks is vital to reduce the number of collisions. Even the most experienced driver cannot stop a big-rig without proper lead time. This is where innovations in camera, radar, and laser radar (known as lidar) technology can make a significant impact in road safety. These technologies are responsible for the development of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) which include forward collision warning systems and automatic braking systems in emergency situations. They also provide the groundwork for other safety features such as adaptive cruise control, blind spot detection, and lane changing assistance.
Lidar is one of the most important advancements in truck safety because it can measure large physical distances and view objects at longer distances. It can capture 360-degree views at all times, essentially creating a 3-dimensional map of the world in real time. These views can extend to nearly 1000 feet in distance. Lidar technology contains infrared lasers which help the driver see at night and during poor weather conditions, including snow, rain and fog.
While fully automated trucking is still not a reality, experts believe that improvements in Lidar technology can speed up the development of self-driving trucks. The development of autonomous features with LIDAR technology may help compensate for driver shortages in the future, which is a growing problem faced by the trucking industry.
If you or a member of your family suffered injury or death as a result of negligence or a defective automobile, contact the attorneys Alexander Law Group, LLP. Our exceptional personal injury lawyers will answer your questions and get you the maximum compensation that is possible. Call 888.777.1776 or contact us online.
