The launch of Truck Safe comes in response to statistics revealing that lorries, despite representing only 3% of vehicles on European roads, are involved in nearly 15% of all fatalities.
Euro NCAP seeks to address this disparity by evaluating trucks based on their performance in key areas such as:
- Crash avoidance: this includes the effectiveness of technologies like Intelligent Speed Adaptation (ISA) and Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) in preventing collisions.
- Driver vision: systems like Camera Monitor Systems (eMirrors) will be assessed for their ability to provide wider fields of view and reduce blind spots, which is particularly crucial in urban environments.
- Post-crash rescue: the design and features of trucks will be evaluated to ensure they facilitate efficient rescue operations in the event of an accident.
The first Truck Safe ratings are scheduled for release in November 2024, focusing on different truck types commonly used in city delivery, highway distribution, and long-haul transportation.
The scheme will evolve over time, with crash testing planned for 2030 to further encourage the development of robust passive safety features in trucks.
Euro NCAP anticipates the Truck Safe rating system to have a significant impact on the safety of European roads by:
- Reducing road fatalities and injuries involving trucks.
- Enhancing the safety of truck drivers and other road users.
- Improving operational safety and cost efficiency for transport companies.
- Providing clear guidance to operators on the safest trucks for specific roles.
- Incentivising manufacturers and suppliers to develop and implement innovative safety solutions.
“Safer roads are key to this, but it’s complex. The sooner we recognise that safety technologies on trucks lag behind those on cars, the quicker we will be able to reduce the number of fatal accidents involving trucks,” added Ulric Långberg, Swedish Association of Road Transport Companies.