German Minister of Transport Andreas Scheuer recently called for EU-wide implementation of safety systems for truck blind spots as soon as possible, following a series of road accidents in Germany.

EU legislation has already been adopted to make such systems mandatory for all trucks sold in Europe by 2024, with proposed solutions including detection and braking systems, blind spot mirrors and smart cameras. But some questions remain: what action should be taken to deploy suitable technologies that help reduce human error in the immediate future? Is there really a one-size-fits-all solution to this issue? And what is the best, proven technology option in terms of price and performance? These questions and more will be answered during IRU‘s upcoming Logistics and Innovation Forum, where the results of IRU‘s recent study on road safety will also be revealed.  

With some 85% of road accidents caused by human error, adopting a holistic approach to road safety in addition to deploying new technological innovations is essential. All road users should be made aware of standard road practices and common truck movements. Understanding the ways trucks behave on the road due to their length, weight and volume, and where their blind spots are, would represent a significant step towards preventing accidents. 

Whatever solution is chosen, what remains indisputable is the EU-wide demand for standardised safety norms. According to IRU‘s global survey of nearly 1000 transport operators, more than 80% of respondents wanted to see international legislation on safety standards introduced in the near future. Such legislation remains vital to bringing legal certainty for truck operators and ensuring a harmonised safety environment for all road users.