Every year in the United States, thousands of people lose their lives in a collision involving a semi-truck, and these numbers are only going up. Many would agree that this is a crisis situation.
Motorists and government officials alike are seeking ways to make sharing the road with semi-trucks safer. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has continued its efforts to set standards for new technological advances that could reduce the number of crashes between truckers and other motorists.
What technology is being considered?
Specifically, the NTSB is interested in speed limiting and collision warning technology. The agency wants these features to be required and used on all semi-trucks.
The current administration has passed a law that makes automated braking systems mandatory on trucks weighing more than 26,000 pounds, which would include most semi-trucks. However, the law did not require that semi-trucks be equipped with lane-warning technology or collision avoidance technology.
Not all are on board
Not all interested parties agree with the measures the agency seeks to take. Some say that speed limiting devices do not allow truckers to accelerate in ways that may be necessary to avoid causing a collision or otherwise maneuver in unsafe road or traffic conditions.
Still, statistics show that fatal truck crashes wherein the truck was traveling 75 mph or greater saw a 164% uptick from 2011 to 2020. So many would agree that excessive speeds contribute to the issue of fatal truck crashes in our nation.
Taking responsibility for truck crashes
Truckers are responsible for maintaining their vehicle and safely operating their vehicle. Truckers may be tempted to speed, but doing so can put them and others on the road at risk of a collision. Depending on the circumstances, truckers in New York who cause a motor vehicle accident due to speeding may be held liable as may the company that employs them.