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This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to provide legal advice.
Many truck drivers who get involved in accidents blame their problems on distractions. Distractions can take away concentration, making the driver lose focus on the road. According to reliable statistics, avoiding distraction will lead to a significant reduction in accidents. However, the problem is that some of these distractions come from things that drivers cannot do without. The most common distractions include:
- Visual: When the driver has to take his eyes off the road and other vital targets to look at something else.
- Audio: When the driver is forced to listen and attend to some sounds that are not related to writing. These sounds can also be sudden and shocking.
- Manual: The driver is forced to take their hands off the steering wheel or their feet off the pedals. They will either lose control of the truck or fail to brake and accelerate appropriately
- Cognitive: Distractions take the mind of the driver of the driving process, making them lose control of everything.
Although there are many causes of driving distractions, the latest truck accident statistics show that mobile phones are the leading ones. However, they are also the best devices to apply technologies that can divert attention. The following technologies should help you stay safe.
Devices That Prevent Drivers From Texting
Some software developers have come up with technologies that connect to the car’s windscreen to sense motion and block the reception or sending of text messages as long as the vehicle is moving. The driver will have to park the truck before they can use their cellphones. As a result, there is a minimal distraction from the phone throughout the trip.
Devices That Block Texts Based on Speed Limits
Apart from technologies that connect to the windshield to detect motion, others detect the speed at which the vehicle is moving. For example, when the truck moves at less than 15 miles per hour, it will allow the driver to respond to text messages. However, when the speed surpasses that limit, the devices will block the communication. They will also not return to functionality until the driver stops or slows down.
Devices That Connect To Trucks Through Wireless
The latest technology has centered mostly on the use of wireless technology such as Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. These technologies can also be used to avoid distractions to truck drivers. Since they are all compatible with smartphones, they become easy to use. All that is required is for the connection to be established, and they will turn off several phone functions when the driver is engaged on the wheel.
Automatic Emergency Braking Technology
The braking pad is one of the things that the driver will forget about when they are distracted. This can lead to collisions and fatal accidents. To avoid this situation, a driver can use automatic emergency braking technology. The vehicle detects when you are heading into a dangerous situation and stops even when you do not initiate the process. It is also useful when it comes to automatic steering and similar functions.
Other technologies that you can use to stay safe from distractions when driving a truck include cameras and lane-changing technology. You will be alerted when you are leaving a lane so that you do not pose a danger to other motorists.
Truck drivers and other drivers who share the roads with them are hurt and killed in accidents far too often. With these new technological advances in trucking safety and the ones that are sure to be introduced to the market in the future, we can help everyone on the roads to stay safer.
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This content is brought to you by Charles Britton.
Photo: Shutterstock
