New Technology and
Driver Training Making
Big Rigs Safer...
By Patricia L. Bodack

What drivers of passenger vehicles may not realize is that trucking companies are taking measures to ensure the safe sharing of the roadway. Most trucking companies promote high quality safety standards for their drivers and try to promote some lesser-known safety precautions that drivers of both passenger vehicles and tractor-trailers can practice.

Blind spots, or areas where a driver cannot see, exist on every type of vehicle. Blind areas for truck drivers are immense compared to the area drivers of passenger vehicles cannot see. Areas directly to the right of the cab extending past the trailer, directly behind the trailer, to the immediate left of the cab and directly in front of the cab are blind areas for the truck driver. Drivers of cars should try to stay out of these areas.

In a perfect world, all drivers would share the road safely and courteously. Unfortunately, we do not live in such a world. This is one reason Eaton VORAD Technologies, an Eaton Corporation subsidiary, has come out with what is called the Eaton Innovation Truck. It includes the use of camera equipment, high-tech radar systems, automatic transmissions, and crash-warning systems along with computer navigation equipment. The safety features work together to prevent collisions.

The Eaton Innovation truck includes all of the safety sub-systems in one system and is still currently in the developmental stage. According to Mike O'Neill, managing partner of Leistra O’Neill Public Relations, "There are, however, many fleets currently using one of the truck's most important safety features, the Collision Warning System (CWS)."

O'Neill explains, "The CWS basically involves the use of a buzzer which interacts with the electronic engine of the truck and can automatically slow the tractor down when other vehicles are too close." The buzzer or tone gets louder as the danger increases, allowing the driver time to turn the wheel of his or her cab if necessary, in order to avoid a collision.

L & H Trucking of Hanover, PA, one of Pennsylvania’s leading trucking companies, is installing Eaton’s CWS on its entire Fleet. Glenn Longstreth, president of L & H Trucking and a second generation, 18-year veteran driver, is a strong believer in the CWS and an even more vehement believer in safety in the Trucking Industry. He is a board member for the safety management council of the Pennsylvania Motor Truck Association (PMTA), and president of the York and Adams county Chapters of the PMTA.

He decided to put the CWS into full-phase at L & H Trucking after testing six units. "The radar automatically calculates safe following distances, and with the system’s equipment I can download the information from the truck’s computer right onto a disc, as the system is constantly recording data," says Longstreth.

Among the factors that influenced his decision to install CWS in his entire fleet was the one-second warning provided by CWS which is projected to prevent up to 90% of rear-end and intersection accidents. The newer EVT-300 system made by Eaton, VORAD, provides a three-second warning time.

It is costing Longstreth around $200,000 to furnish his whole fleet with the CWS, but to him it is well worth the cost. Longstreth upholds, "If CWS prevents one rear end collision or one serious accident, the system has paid for itself as far as I am concerned."

Another trucking company, Ward Trucking of Altoona, PA, places safety at the top of its agenda. They have already had six drivers to reach a landmark goal of thirty consecutive years on the road without a preventable accident. The most recent driver at Ward to receive this coveted safety honor is Robert Murray of Altoona, PA.

Murray started with Ward Trucking in 1964 as a casual driver and became a regular driver for them in 1966. In January 1996, Murray was selected by the PMTA as driver of the month. He received the honor of 30 consecutive years at Ward in 1998. He was presented not only with a plaque for his honor, but a vacation of his choice totaling up to $3000 paid for by the company.

Ward doesn't just offer incentives, but drivers undergo rigorous safety training. Newly hired drivers, even with verifiable over-the-road or local truck driving experience, are subject to training on drug and alcohol issues, hazardous materials and defensive driving techniques, which Ward requires every three years for all of their drivers.

"It is an ongoing process for our drivers to continue to learn new techniques and be reminded of safety driving standards," concludes Wayne Setser, corporate safety manager at Ward Trucking. Ward has 13 different training facilities, which cover information on rollover prevention, how to make turns properly as well as other general safety information.

In an era of mobile phones, portable computers, drive through restaurants, and other multiple distractions, being aware of precautions and needs of other drivers on the road is the first step to share the road more safely. The second, and most important step, is to actually put these concepts to work, and practice them every time we get into our vehicle.