If you drive commercial trucks for a living, safety is a huge consideration, and when looking for a new or used truck from a commercial dealer, you should keep safety features in mind. The available features vary based on the manufacturer and the age of the truck, but here are some you should consider looking for:
1. Collision mitigation systems
These systems are typically only available on newer trucks, but they can be retrofitted to some older trucks. For example, some trucks come fitted with an OnGuard radar. This system uses radars to sense when moving or stopped vehicles are too close, and it alerts the driver through a combination of noise alerts and by pumping the brakes to incite the driver to respond quickly. If you cannot find a truck with a crash mitigation system like this, you may be able to add one aftermarket.
2. Advanced safety features
You also may want to look for trucks that have advanced safety features. For example, there are Volvos that are designed to have the driveshaft move down in the case of an impact. This prevents the driver from being impaled by the drive shaft, but it is just one example of the type of intuitive advanced technology you should look for. Other options include lane departure warnings and predictive cruise control.
3. Cameras
If you are in an accident, it can be helpful to know exactly what happened, and to facilitate this, you may want a commercial truck with a camera installed to capture crashes. This can be a helpful way to prove your innocence if you are being wrongfully sued by another driver. Alternatively, if the crash was your fault, it can help to identify that fact so you don't try to fight a losing battle in court. Instead, you can simply offer a settlement. The footage from the camera can help you to make decisions like this after a crash. It can also help you to figure out what went wrong so that you can be safer moving forward.
4. Ergonomic seats
Safety features aren't only about crumple-resistant metal and advanced technology. You should also think about basic things such as comfort. If the design of your chair is more ergonomical, that helps to reduce distracting aches and pains.
Additionally, if possible, you should always get in the cab of a commercial truck before you buy it so you can check the visibility. This can vary from truck to truck, depending on your height and the truck's design. However, Isuzu designers, in particular, have attempted to boost safety by increasing ergonomics and boosting visibility.
5. Hill-Start Assist
If you drive a lot in hilly areas, you may want to look for a commercial truck with hill start aid. Driving up a hill can be hard, and in some cases, your truck may even inadvertently slip into reverse and roll back down the hill. Hill start assist, however, prevents this from happening. With this feature, you can easily start, stop, and restart on any part of an incline, and the feature makes the drive safer.
6. Predictive Maintenance Dashboards
Finally, timely maintenance is essential if you want to avoid many types of accidents, but tracking maintenance can be challenging. So that you don't ever overlook anything, consider looking for a commercial truck with a predictive maintenance dashboard. This gives you instant updates through a display screen on your dash, and it tells you when you need to replace certain parts or when it's time for routine maintenance.
For more tips on which safety features to consider, talk with a commercial truck dealer directly. They can direct you to the right features for your needs.
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