Accidents involving large trucks* are unfortunately too common; in 2021 there were 523,796 accidents involving large trucks, 5,788 of which were fatal, according to Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) data.
But consider this: In 1975, there were 3,722 fatal crashes involving large trucks, and forty years later in 2015 there were 3,622 – a modest decrease. Yet in that time, the number of registered large trucks on the road more than doubled from 5,362,369 to 11,203,184, according to data from the FMCSA.
In short, our roads are getting safer in terms of large truck safety, even if it doesn’t feel that way. A number of factors have likely contributed to this, including stricter regulations at the federal and state level, better training for drivers, and improvements and modifications to roads with truck safety in mind. Possibly the biggest factor in improved safety, however, are advancements in technology.
Here are some of the technological advancements that have improved safety in large trucks – specifically tractor-trailers/big rigs – in recent years.