Safety Ratings for Heavy Trucks Arrive in Europe: Aiming to Prevent Tragedy
A groundbreaking new initiative is taking aim at the alarmingly high rate of fatalities involving heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) on European roads. Euro NCAP, the organization known for its rigorous safety ratings for passenger cars, has launched TRUCK SAFE, the first-ever independent rating program for truck safety. This move comes amidst startling statistics revealing that despite making up less than 3 percent of the European vehicle fleet, HGVs are involved in 15 percent of all road deaths.
The pressing need for this program was underscored by Meera Naran, an independent road safety campaigner. Naran lost her 8-year-old son Dev in a tragic collision with a truck in the UK.
"I cannot overstate the impact this will have on preventing serious injuries and deaths,” she said at the launch of the TRUCK SAFE program. “It will prevent other families from having to go through something like we have — I truly believe that the additional safety features available today could have saved my son Dev.”
Focusing on Collision Avoidance Technology
Euro NCAP’s TRUCK SAFE program puts a spotlight on collision avoidance technologies, recognizing that many accidents involving trucks are preventable through advancements in safety systems. Matthew Avery, Director of Strategic Development at Euro NCAP and a driving force behind the TRUCK SAFE assessment program, explained:
“Truck crashes can, by and large, be addressed with technology. This first set of ratings is entirely focusing on collision avoidance technologies: autonomous emergency braking on behalf of the driver (AEB), driver monitoring systems to catch drowsy drivers, and increased vision with regards to vulnerable road users — a problem we see specifically in cities.”
The program initially focused on nine long-haul fleet truck models, representing about 95 percent of the trucks commonly seen on European roads. The rating results revealed a surprising gap in safety standards:
“We basically have a span from 1 to 5 stars, with the 5-star trucks having lots of the technology and the 1-star truck not having anything beyond regulation and having relatively poor vision,” Avery explained. "We knew that a lot of truck makers only provided what’s required by regulation, whereas others are very proud of going above and beyond. But the difference between those two is much bigger than we expected — I think it’s surprising that there is so much difference in the market.”
**Manufacturers React to Ratings
**Some manufacturers, like IVECO, MAN, and Mercedes-Benz, declined to provide Euro NCAP with their latest models for testing. Instead, the organization assessed older models, factoring in the possibility that newer versions may have improved safety features.
Both IVECO and Mercedes-Benz explicitly stated that their submitted models did not reflect the safety capabilities of their latest generation vehicles. In light of this, Avery emphasized the transparency of the testing process:
"We are making absolutely clear that the manufacturer did not help us and that we got hold of the very latest truck we could hire," Avery stated. We are not trying to confuse or fool anybody, we are being completely open with our test results.”
On the other hand, models from DAF, Scania, and Renault received ratings between three and four stars, while Volvo achieved the coveted 5 stars across the board. All manufacturers highlighted their commitment to reaching the full five-star rating in future models— a strong indication that the TRUCK SAFE program is driving positive changes throughout the industry.
Scania’s Örjan Åslund reacted to the results with a mix of satisfaction and ambition:
“We are happy with this result, but it’s clear for us that as a premium manufacturer we strive and aim for 5 stars of course.”
Volvo’s Anna Wrige, Traffic and Product Safety Director, echoed a shared commitment:
“We have the same approach as Euro NCAP has for its requirements. We wanted to create safety systems that can handle a variety of accident types, and that matches with what Euro NCAP is doing.” She concluded: "It is a confirmation that we are doing the right thing.”
Impact and Future Outlook
The Euro NCAP TRUCK SAFE program is poised to significantly impact the development and adoption of safety features in HGVs. By creating a transparent and trusted rating system, Euro NCAP hopes to encourage hauliers and fleet managers to prioritize safety when making purchasing decisions.
"The big European hauliers tend to buy trucks not in ones and twos, but in hundreds and thousands," Avery explained. "So, you can imagine, if they are making a choice between two different truck manufacturers, this might tip the balance for them.”
The program is also drawing attention from insurance companies who see the value in promoting safer trucks on the road. Allianz and QBE, two major European insurers, have recently joined Euro NCAP, publicly expressing their interest in collaborating to improve vehicle safety.
As Euro NCAP continues to expand its TRUCK SAFE program, evaluating new trucks and sectors each year, there is hope that these ratings will drive a culture of safety within the industry, ultimately saving lives on the roads.
## “A game-Changer for Road Safety”: Expert Interview on Euro NCAP’s New TRUCK SAFE program
**World-Today-News.com** speaks with Matthew Avery, Director of Strategic Development at Euro NCAP, about the groundbreaking TRUCK SAFE program and its potential impact on preventing fatal accidents involving heavy goods vehicles.
**World-Today-News:** The launch of TRUCK SAFE marks a notable step forward in road safety. Can you elaborate on the rationale behind creating the first-ever autonomous safety rating program for trucks?
**Matthew Avery:** For too long,heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) have been overlooked in terms of safety innovation. Despite representing less than 3% of vehicles on our roads, they are involved in a disproportionate 15% of fatal accidents. This stark statistic underscores the urgent need for higher safety standards in the trucking industry.
TRUCK SAFE aims to address this imbalance by providing consumers, fleet operators, and policymakers with clear, independent assessments of truck safety.just like our well-established car safety ratings, TRUCK SAFE will empower informed decisions that prioritize the protection of all road users.
**World-Today-News:** Euro NCAP chose to initially focus on collision avoidance technologies. Can you explain the reasoning behind this particular emphasis?
**Matthew Avery:** We believe that many accidents involving trucks are preventable through the advancement and implementation of intelligent safety systems.
Our initial ratings focused on three key areas:
* **Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB):** This technology can detect potential collisions and automatically apply the brakes, mitigating or preventing crashes altogether.
* **Driver Monitoring Systems:** These systems help detect drowsy or distracted driving, which are significant contributing factors to truck accidents.
* **Improved Vision:**
Enhancing visibility around the truck, especially for vulnerable road users like cyclists and pedestrians, is crucial in urban environments.
**World-Today-News:** Recent findings by TRUCK SAFE have revealed a concerning disparity in safety features offered by different truck manufacturers.
Could you share some insights into these findings and their implications?
**matthew Avery:** Our initial assessment of nine long-haul truck models,representing 95% of trucks on European roads,unveiled a surprising range of safety performances. We saw trucks achieving a full 5-star rating, equipped with the latest cutting-edge technologies, while others scored a meager 1 star, lacking even basic safety features beyond regulatory minimums. This disparity highlights the patchy landscape of truck safety and reinforces the need for TRUCK SAFE to drive improvements across the board.
How do you envision TRUCK SAFE impacting the trucking industry and ultimately contributing to safer roads in europe?
**Matthew Avery:** We believe TRUCK SAFE will act as a powerful catalyst for change within the trucking industry. By providing obvious and credible safety ratings, we aim to:
* **encourage manufacturers to prioritize safety innovation:** TRUCK SAFE rewards those who invest in advanced safety technologies, encouraging others to follow suit.
* **Empower fleet operators to make informed purchasing decisions:**
TRUCK SAFE scores will enable fleet managers to select trucks with proven track records in safety, safeguarding their drivers and othre road users.
* **Raise consumer awareness and demand:**
Just as car buyers are increasingly considering safety ratings, TRUCK SAFE will empower consumers and businesses to demand safer trucks.
Ultimately, our vision is a future where all trucks on European roads are equipped with the latest safety technologies, considerably reducing the number of fatal accidents and making our roads safer for everyone.
Thank you, Mr. Avery, for sharing your insights on this crucial issue. TRUCK SAFE has the potential to be a real game-changer for road safety in Europe.
**Matthew Avery:** Thank you for having me. It’s a crucial issue, and we are committed to making a difference.
