Study shows that underride guards on tractor-trailers need to be addressed

A study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) reveals that underride guards on tractor-trailers can fail even during low-impact crashes, Transport Topics reports.

Underride guards are used as a safety measure to reduce deaths and injuries when vehicles crash into the backs of tractor-trailers. Officials told the news source that they are petitioning the federal government to require stronger guards, while mandating that they be used on heavier trucks.

This comes after a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration review determined that an in-depth field analysis was needed to improve federal motor vehicle safety standards.

"You might be riding in a vehicle that earns top marks in frontal crash tests, but if the truck’s underride guard fails - or is not there at all - your chances of walking away from even a relatively low-speed crash are not good,” Adrian Lund, IIHS president, told the news source.

Online truck driver training courses may help new drivers and veteran operators learn techniques that can minimize the opportunity for accidents such as these. Furthermore, these classes promote trucking safety, which can save the company and the employee money in the long run.

By Andie Martin

Study shows that underride guards on tractor-trailers need to be addressed

Wednesday, March 2nd, 2011