Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/479227
Text Nic Townsend Illustration Dan Hambe THE DRIVING CHALLENGE Small measures for safer driving Every year the Volvo Trucks Accident Research Team investigates and analyzes accidents involving trucks worldwide, in an attempt to better understand how accidents can be prevented. This research has been invaluable in developing Volvo Trucks' active safety systems such as Collision Warning with Emergency Brake, Driver Alert Support and Electronic Stability Program. However, despite these advances, the most important contributor to road safety will always be the driver. "Active safety systems are designed as a last resort, but ultimately the drivers are still responsible for their trucks," says Carl Johan Almqvist, Traffic and Product Safety director, Volvo Trucks. "The first and easiest action a driver can take is to wear a seat belt. Our research shows that in the vast majority of fatal accidents involving trucks, the victims were not wearing seatbelts, and that the majority of these victims would have survived if they had been. So just by wearing a seat belt, you've significantly reduced the risk of a fatality." Drowsiness is also a common cause for road fatalities, and there is only one solution to that: sleep. If you can feel yourself nodding off, find somewhere to pull over immediately and take a short power nap. Here are the most common accidents leading to truck occupant fatalities, according to Volvo Trucks' European Accident Research and Safety Report 2013, and some simple measures truck drivers can take to minimize the risks. In the majority of cases, this is caused by inattention. A driver should be focused on the immediate vicinity as well as far ahead, as this makes it easier to anticipate and react to changing conditions. Driving proactively also has the added bonus of being more fuel-efficient, as it helps reduce sudden braking and acceleration. Driving off-road 1 B E N E F ITS Fuel Economy Wear and tear Safety 2 Once you enter slow-moving traffic, it is very easy to drop your guard and lose concentration, and this is when most rear-end collisions occur. Don't become complacent and allow yourself to be distracted. For example, research shows that you're 23 times more likely to have an accident if you text while driving, and six times more likely if you're dialling. Remain vigilant, keep focused on your surroundings, and be prepared to brake suddenly. Rear-end collisions 22 D R I V E R ' S D I G ES T #1/2015