ARTICLE - Q1 2025

"Commercial Vehicle Safety Systems"
by Dan Laurencelle, Arctic Glacier, Inc.

When it comes to commercial vehicle safety systems, there are a variety of technologies and solutions available to improve driver safety, reduce accidents, and ensure compliance with regulations. We are left trying to analyze costs, what the right solution for your business is, and what the “secret sauce” is that will truly move the needle on safety.

Some options are:

• Collision Avoidance Systems
  • Automatic Braking
  • Forward Collison warnings, ties in with Automatic Braking, essentially warns when too close to vehicle in front of you, and can also apply brakes when fast approaching vehicle detected
  • Blind Spot Detection
• Lane Departure / Lane Assist Systems
• Electronic Stability Control
• Traction Control
• Telematics
• Backup Cameras and Sensors
• ELD
  • ELD Solutions (where applicable) provide a wide range of not only general compliance they also have a safety element with HOS, e-DVIR and GPS which can help keep the driver’s mindset in a safe space
• In-Cab Camera Solutions
  • In-Cab Cameras not only provide GPS, e-DVIR and ELD options, they also help improve driver behavior through video telematics.
• Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems
• Pedestrian detection

​The list continues to grow as new technologies continue to emerge.

Another way of tackling safety can be through some of these daily operation options:

• Fostering a culture of safety
• Putting focus on Pre and Post trip inspections
  • This requires data validation discipline
    • Making sure drivers are not “pencil whipping”
  • Driver accountability
• Driver training through either video base or hands on solutions
• Proper and effective on-boarding of new Distribution Personnel
• Always encouraging safe work practices, including not taking any shortcuts, using appropriate techniques and following company SOPs

Although we have many options, we can choice from, finding the best solution, whether process, documentation, technology, whatever it may be, continuing to talk and think about “Safety Systems” needs to be at the front of our mindset all the time.

The message should always be very clear that safety is everyone’s responsibility. Let’s always keep Safety at the forefront of everything we do.
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This reinforces the importance of a continued collective effort while keeping employees motivated to always take personal responsibility.