Mandatory safety devices?

[Soon2B]

There was a fatal accident involving a big truck and car in Missouri on Saturday. The news media interviewed people who said that the accident could have been prevented with some of the newest truck safety devices, such as forward-looking radar, lane sensors, and driver monitors/alarms (hmmmm... wonder where those 4-wheelers learned about the these?!!!)

Here is a link to a press release from one company that makes these devices. http://www.delphi.com/media/news/pre...29793-09232004

How many drivers have (any of) this on your trucks? Do you like it/them? Why or why not? Did the school trucks have any of this technology, or did you have to wait until you got into a company truck?

Note: some of this technology has been put in a few (high end) 4-wheeler models.

soon2b

[yoopr]

don't need any of this stuff-just have to pay attention to what you're doing.

[marklangdon4]

If you're tired get the hell off of the road. That is one of the main causes of accidents.

[lonewolf]

hmm lets see,i have 2 good eyes and a big windshield,i guess that can be classified with forward looking radar,i also have 6 mirrors on my truck,those are the lane monitors,i suppose and as far a warning devices,don't need anything like that,i know when to go to bed

there's no need for the high priced toys on trucks,the only thing a truck needs is a good safe driver,one that knows his limits,drives when he's fully rested and sleeps when he's tired

[Nighttrain71]

More technology than anyone needs. My guess is that it would do more harm than good, as it wold lend itself to a false sense of sucurity, leading many drivers (most notably of the four wheel variety) to pay even less attention than they already are.

[NWRally]

I'll be the dissenting voice here...

I don't believe these devices should be mandatory, HOWEVER, I'm convinced they'll be DEMANDED by truck owners and trucking companies out of pure ECONOMICS.

I honestly think this stuff will revolutionize safe travel. It SUPPLEMENTS your own natural ability, and could give you a precious few seconds to avoid a terrible life-ending, traffic snarling rear-ender. It will make our jobs less stressful knowing there's a "second set of eyes" scanning the road ahead.

Just think how much ONE mild rear-ender costs a company (damage to truck, damage to other vehicle(s), physical injuries, load damage, late delivery, insurance) and then add on the cost to society for each wreck (other travelers late for their appointments, extra fuel burned, police cost, roads clogged, etc, etc).

If a truck equipped with these device could avoid just ONE wreck during a million-mile lifespan, the device would pay for itself many times over.
8)

[baldpapa]

I don't disagree with your statement that these devices could be helpful in trucks however it has been my experience that most accidents involving trucks are caused by 4 wheelers in some way. now before anyone asks for proof of this i will say again that this is my opinion and that although this site lists me as a rookie since i just joined in Dec. i have been a driver for 18 years. my point is that they may at some point be required in trucks i don't believe that they will be in 4 wheelers hence part of the problem remains the same and you can not get new results with the same actions.

[yoopr]

we've never had this crap since i started and it all boils down to paying attention.

[dtrain]

professional drivers; professional driving is just that; professional driving. We cannot control the actions of others on the road; only our own. Technological devices are positive helping aids; however it comes down to the individual driver being a full time driver; not doing anything else behind the wheel. As a professional driver; our use of all the defensive driving techniques that we know and learn will prevent us from being in most accidents. We can only drive one vehicle at a time. We may find it annoying at times having to constantly correct following distance and other things on the highway but it is a lot harder to stop 60+ feet of vehicle than it is 10+ feet of one. Technological devices are positive but substitute for professional driving techniques. Go safely; see you on the big road! :rock: