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Technologies for Accident Prevention in Trucks and Heavy Vehicles

Posted on Oct 28, 2025 by The Advocates

With the continuous advancements in transportation technology, preventing accidents in trucks and heavy vehicles has become a priority for fleet managers and regulatory bodies alike. The implementation of advanced safety systems not only protects drivers but also reduces liability and operational costs.

Between January and October 2025, Washington recorded 3,967 heavy truck accidents, including 36 fatal crashes, 82 resulting in serious injuries, and over 700 with other types of harm. The I-5 corridor in Seattle remains one of the most critical and recurring hotspots for these incidents.

Prevention

The most effective way to map truck accidents and popular safety technologies is by consulting medium and large-sized private truck fleets that travel thousands of miles across the country.

According to fleet respondents, the top safety technologies they reported using include:

  • Back-up Cameras (55%): These provide enhanced visibility when reversing, reducing accidents in parking lots and confined spaces. Back-up cameras remain the top safety technology used by light- and medium-duty fleets for two consecutive reports.
  • Air Disc Brakes (48%): These brakes offer better performance compared to traditional drum brakes, improving stopping power and heat dissipation, which is essential for heavy vehicles.
  • Speed Limiters (40%): Used to set maximum speed limits, these devices help fleets manage speed compliance, significantly reducing speeding-related incidents. The 68-70 mph range is commonly used in many fleets.
  • In-cab Cameras (Forward-facing Only) (33%): Forward-facing cameras monitor both the road and driver behavior, providing crucial feedback and helping to identify issues before they escalate into accidents.
  • Lane-Departure Warnings (30%): These systems alert drivers when the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane without signaling, reducing the risk of lane-change accidents.

For two consecutive reports, back-up cameras have been identified as the most utilized safety technology among commercial fleets.

Pending Troubles

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Crash Preventability Determination Program (CPDP) enables drivers and motor carriers to request a review of crash details to assess whether a crash was preventable. This program applies to crashes occurring on or after August 1, 2019. The survey inquired whether fleets had utilized this program, and the majority—77%—had not yet taken advantage of it.

Most respondents identified urban streets as the top location for accidents (43%), followed by parking lots (36%). Limited access or interstate highways and other highways were ranked next.

Sometimes, an overload of information can cause a breakdown in effective teaching. A significant number of light- and medium-duty fleet survey respondents reported occasionally feeling overwhelmed by these regulations and solutions, with 29% admitting that it is becoming increasingly burdensome. 

Conclusion

In summary, new safety technologies in trucks and heavy vehicles are helping reduce accidents and keep everyone safer. However, there’s still room to use helpful programs like the FMCSA’s Crash Preventability Determination more widely. 

It’s also important to focus on tricky areas like city streets and avoid overwhelming drivers with too many rules or gadgets. With the right balance and continued effort, fleets can make the roads safer for all.