There are no bigger, no longer, no heavier or more dangerous vehicles on Issaquah’s interstate highways than tractor-trailers. When the enormous commercial trucks are driven by fatigued or distracted truckers, they make our roads even more dangerous.
A company that makes monitoring systems for 18-wheelers says its new SmartDrive System will be able to detect fatigue and distractions in truckers, reducing the risks motorists face of commercial vehicle crashes, injuries and fatalities.
SmartDrive SmartSense will be available early next year. When installed in big rigs, it will include cameras that monitor the sides of the trucks, the road ahead and the truck driver as well. The system will also contain “purpose-built sensors with engine computer data, telematics, accelerometer and SmartDrive analytic data” that will be able to detect distraction, drowsiness and inattention.
The system’s dual-camera system monitors and tracks the trucker’s eyes and analyzes that data along with the vehicle’s movements to determine if distraction or fatigue is present. If either one is detected, the system begins making a video recording and alerts the trucking company. The trucker’s employer can then monitor the driver or intervene.
According to a news report, the company says its new system will give trucking companies “a comprehensive view of the frequency, severity and impact of distracted driving, and a solution to an industry epidemic that costs money and lives.”
If you or a loved one has been hurt in a truck accident, you can pursue full compensation for all damages with the help of an attorney devoted to holding negligent drivers and employers accountable in personal injury and wrongful death litigation.
