Trucking has been around for as long as the engine has, but things are changing faster than ever before. Technology is making it safer and easier than in the past, here’s how.
Transportation & Trucking
Video Recorders
Video recorders are becoming more common sights in truck cabins. These record all the time and allow companies to look at the footage when an accident occurs on the road. There are many reasons why this is a good thing for companies. And privacy issues shouldn’t become an issue as long as the footage is only used when an accident takes place.
If an accident happens, the driver and the company can be held liable. So having a video recorder to prove that the driver actually did nothing wrong can stop the company having to pay out compensation. But, of course, it could also help prove that the driver did do something wrong in some cases.
Logging Devices & Speed Limiters
One of the main causes of crashes is speeding. And when a vehicle as large as a truck is speeding, the damage inflicted on other drivers is even greater than usual. To get around this, speed limiters are becoming more and more common in trucks nowadays. They stop the truck from going above a certain pre-set speed.
Logging devices record how long a driver has been driving for. This means the device will be able to tell the driver when it’s time for them to sleep or to have a break. Having regular breaks is one way of boosting safety as it makes crashes less likely. Before the technology existed, it was easy for drivers to drive for longer than they should have been.
Loading Equipment
The process of loading cargo into trucks has never been easier and safer than it is today. The hydraulic technology that is now part of the process makes it very difficult for disastrous mistakes to be made. As long as everyone is trained in using the new technology, there should be no major safety problems.
Even if space is limited and you don’t have much room in which to load cargo, the latest loading equipment can help you out. You can find loading dock equipment information and tips online. There are lots of options out there for truckers and trucking companies. And all of it is safe and easy to use nowadays too.
Future Automation
Some of the most interesting innovations in the trucking industry will come in the next decade or so. There is an increasing belief that the future of trucking might lie in automation and driverless vehicles. This is not close to being a reality just yet, but lots of research and money is being thrown at the idea at the moment.
They will be able to stop collisions by using sensors that detect other nearby cars. So, the chance of having a crash will be less than ever before. These levels of safety are quite incredible, so when we eventually do see driverless trucks hit the road, it good be a good thing for all road users.