According to recent data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), heavy-duty truck-related crash fatalities in 2020 declined by 2% after years of increases. Fleet Advantage is promoting the improvements safety technologies have brought to keep heavy-duty truck drivers and motorists safer in recognition of July as National Roadside Traffic Safety Awareness Month.

In 2020, Fleet Advantage introduced its Safety First Program, which focuses on safety by shortening equipment life cycles to onboard new safety technology more rapidly. Safety technologies of the program include collision avoidance, lane departure and blind spot assist to keep drivers and other motorists safer while also reducing exposure to expensive litigation. According to a June 2020 report by the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI), between 2010 and 2018, the average verdict amount rose by nearly $20 million.

This year, approximately 98% of all Fleet Advantage leased trucks include advanced lane departure technologies; 95% include collision avoidance technology and 81% include blind spot assist technology. Furthermore, 82% of Fleet Advantage leased trucks also include front disc brakes and rear disc brakes.

Collision avoidance in particular has been identified by both the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) as well as the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS)/Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI). In fact, a study from the IIHS/HLDI concluded that forward collision warning technology led to a 22% decrease in the rate of police reportable crashes per vehicle miles traveled and a 44% reduction in reported rear-end crash rates of large trucks.

While fleets today realize the significant impact these safety technologies are having on saving lives, they are also experiencing a noticeable return on their investment in safety in about 16 months. This has shortened from Fleet Advantage’s analysis from September 2020 when it reported noticeable return on investment was achieved in 24 months.

“For the last few years, we’ve taken great pride in helping our fleets become the youngest in the industry with the most reliable trucks,” Katerina Jones, vice president of marketing and business development at Fleet Advantage, said. “We’re proud to know safety is just as important, and we are making great strides to ensure that our fleets are putting their drivers in the safest trucks on the road today.”