Each year, more than 4,000 people die in large truck crashes. This shocking number of deaths is equivalent to all of the passengers in ten fully-loaded 747s. Yet we are largely immune to the carnage because of its chronic nature. Collision Avoidance Technology (CAT) systems have the proven potential to significantly reduce the number of large truck crashes and to save lives. The time has now arrived. CAT systems should be standard equipment on all large trucks.

Human error causes most truck crashes. Automated driving systems can reduce the number of large truck crashes because these systems take human error out of the equation. Fully autonomous driving systems replace the human operator of the vehicle, while CAT systems, the technology at the heart of fully-autonomous systems assist the human operator of the vehicle, who still retains overall control of the vehicle. Fully-autonomous trucks are now being tested on our roadways, but the reported crashes of passenger autonomous vehicles justifiably should give us pause in turning fully-autonomous trucks loose in truck fleets in the near future. Nevertheless, CAT systems are starting to be implemented within truck fleets, and they are showing measurable safety benefits. There is no longer any excuse for CAT systems not to be standard equipment on all large trucks.

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