NTSB Wants Big-Rig Safety Technologies on Straight Trucks, Vans

The National Transportation Safety Board asked federal regulators Tuesday to apply some safety technology requirements to straight trucks, vans and pickup trucks that currently only apply to heavy trucks, saying those components could increase safety and prevent deaths.

Features such as rear-underride guards and reflective tape have reduced crashes and deaths for tractor-trailers and should be required for all freight vehicles with a weight rating above 10,000 lbs., which NTSB called single-unit trucks, the board said.

“When it comes to single-unit truck safety, we can do better for our citizens and their safety, and it’s not as complicated as changing behavior or norms,” Board Chairman Deborah Hersman said at the hearing at NTSB’s Washington headquarters.

“That is why we are issuing safety recommendations to bring these vehicles more in line with the safety requirements of tractor-trailers, including requiring rear-underride protection on new trucks and using methods and materials to make these vehicles more visible and conspicuous,” Hersman said.

NTSB is asking the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to develop standards for rear-underride guards, reflective tape and mirrors that improve visibility for all vehicles trucks above 10,000 lbs.

The board asked NHTSA to mandate other technology, such as front and side underride guards and lane-departure warnings systems. Those features are not required for any vehicles, and NTSB has previously asked for those mandates.