SmartDrive Sensors Help Stop Unsafe Driving Behaviors in Their Tracks
SmartDrive driver-assist sensors identify dangerous driving habits and make it possible to assess driving actions and improve driving behaviors. This new technology which can be installed on commercial trucks, public buses, construction vehicles, public utility vehicles, and many others, could lead to a significant reduction in the number of trucking accidents caused by distracted driving and other risky behaviors each year.
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How it Works
SmartDrive is connected to a database that contains over 200 million risky driving events including distracted driving, speeding, drunk driving, etc. With SmartSense for Distracted Driving, the sensors gather video data to identify and analyze patterns of inattentive driving. The sensors identify triggers that distract the driver and this data is compared to the information within the database. This makes it possible for drivers and fleet managers to identify potential hazards that could lead to distraction and accidents.
The sensors provide real-time data and alerts which makes it possible for fleet managers to see dangerous driving behaviors as they happen. When the sensors detect dangerous behavior, it triggers alarms within the cab that alerts the driver and dispatch that a driver is dangerously distracted. This makes it possible for drivers to regain focus and for dispatchers to order truckers to take breaks and adjust driving habits before a trucking accident happens.
The technology is being rolled out in the first quarter of this year. The products are entirely voluntary, however, early results show that they can have a significant impact in reducing the number of distracted driving accidents involving commercial vehicles.
Why it Matters
In 2015, 3,477 motorists were killed and about 391,000 were injured in distracted driving accidents. Distracted driving has become as dangerous and deadly a problem as drunk driving. Long hours and long hauls mean that commercial truck drivers have an increased risk of being involved in a distracted driving accident. Drivers distracted by sending texts, eating/drinking, adjusting radios, reading signs along the road, gazing at the scenery, or daydreaming are leading causes of large truck accidents across the country. Safety technologies that can help drivers adjust their driving behaviors before an accident happens have the potential to significantly reduce the number of distracted driving accidents and save a significant number of lives each year.
