The U.S. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration released the initial round of data it has gathered through its Standing General Order issued last year. The initial associated reports summing up this information were also released as part of the Department of Transportation’s efforts to improve traffic safety and promote technological advancement.
The report came as analysts reported that 42,915 persons lost their lives in vehicle accidents in 2021, a rise of 10.5% from the year before.
According to the NHTSA, Level 2 technology driver assistance systems are becoming more prevalent in trucks and cars. For the first time, the NHTSA gathered and examined crash data which involve vehicles equipped with SAE Level 2 advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and independently, SAE Levels 3-5 automated driving systems (ADS).
The data for SAE L2 ADAS-equipped vehicles reveal that 11 of the 98 collisions in which information on injuries was recorded resulted in alleged serious injuries or a death.
According to the NHTSA’s “first-of-its-kind” statistical data, vehicle manufacturers and operators reported that 130 crashes involving vehicles with ADS technology occurred between June 29, 2021, when NHTSA issued an order seeking such data, and May 15, 2022.
11 of the 130 reported crashes involving ADS-equipped vehicles involved an unprotected road user like a pedestrian or cyclist, and 108 involved crashes with another vehicle.
The NHTSA states that, although not exhaustive, the crash data that automakers and vehicle users provide are significant and give the organization timely knowledge about collisions involving cars that had varying levels of automated systems in place at least 30 seconds prior to the collision.
NHTSA Administrator Steven Cliff stated that when more data is gathered, the NHTSA will be better equipped to recognize any new hazards or trends as well as learn more about how these systems are behaving in the real world.
Big hopes are set, for example, on technologically advanced autonomous trucks used regularly in specified scenarios, which proponents believe will be significantly safer and more effective than human-driven trucks.
Waymo leads NHTSA’s list for ADS-equipped vehicle collisions
130 accidents involving ADS-equipped vehicles were reported by vehicle makers and operators, according to the NHTSA. According to a company official who talked to FreightWaves, Waymo reported 62 of those collisions, two of which involved its class 8 heavy-duty trucks.
In the last year, Navistar and TuSimple were two other self-driving truck technology companies who reported ADS crashes to NHTSA, each with one crash. The remaining collisions were reported by businesses that specialize in delivery or passenger vehicles.
ADS-Equipped Vehicles on Limited Use
ADS-equipped vehicles, which can handle the entire driving work under certain conditions, are not currently available for purchase by the general public. They are being tested for various forms of mobility, such as ride hailing, shuttle services, and delivery of commodities, on public highways across the nation. The desire for a more extensive deployment has remained on the rise.
If used safely, these technologies have a tremendous deal of potential to increase traffic safety, and the Department and NHTSA work to promote innovation and favorable reception. As part of its primary duty to guarantee vehicle safety, NHTSA is gathering this information on advanced vehicle technology and looking into additional options to assist safe innovation.
Contact a Truck Accident Attorney
Physical, emotional, and financial problems you must endure can result from truck accident injuries that can last for a long time or, in severe cases, even permanently. We at the Flick Law Firm are aware of this, and we can assist you in obtaining the maximum compensation to which you are entitled.
Find out how our expertise and experience handling cases involving truck accidents might benefit you by giving us a call at (816) 221-0501.
