BRAKING GOOD

EVERYBODY IN THE trucking industry has heard the horror stories. Trucks ploughing into other vehicles in the fog, dust, smoke or darkness. Trucks ramming into the back of cars at roadworks, in heavy traffic, at intersections or any old where.

Most of these disasters are the other driver’s fault, according to the official statistics. But that’s little consolation to all the traumatised people involved. And the federal government estimates rear-enders involving heavy vehicles cost the community around $200 million a year.

We all like to think we are great drivers, but we only have to delay our reactions to an emergency situation by a second or two and it can be the difference between life or death.

That’s where modern technology can help, and it’s why the Australian Trucking Association (ATA) supports the federal government’s plan to make autonomous emergency braking (AEB) compulsory.

“It’s an incredible safety technology,” says Australian Trucking Association CEO Ben Maguire. “Making it a requirement for new trucks is one of the ATA’s safety priorities.”