Truck fleets are adopting lane departure warning system (LDWS) technology to prevent their rigs from swaying into traffic, and testing by the the federal government shows that the technology reduces accidents.
Tests by the Federal Motor Carrier Administration showed that adding technology alerts drivers when their cabs start to drift out of the lane reduces accidents where trucks run off the road by 21 to 24 percent, according to Today's Trucking. Rollovers were reduced by 17 to 21-percent.
The technology is not mandatory today, but the government could start by requiring it on all new trucks. Truck drivers work long monotonous hours, so an audio reminder when they start to drift would reduce the accidents caused by tired or distracted drivers.
LDWS vendor Iteris said that 12 trucking companies are in the process of implementing its system. The payback can be immediate as it will lower insurance rates, reduce lost work and lawsuits.
If any vehicles are required to use LDWS, it should be those that are the largest and that are on the road for the longest periods of time.
Source: Iteris
