Truck underride crashes pose significant risks to motorists on the road, with many such crashes leading to severe injuries and fatalities. These accidents occur when a smaller vehicle collides with a large truck and slides underneath its trailer. Due to the height difference between passenger vehicles and commercial trucks, the impact of such crashes can be devastating.
Understanding the causes and consequences of truck underride accidents helps improve road safety.
Insufficient safety measures on trucks
A key reason truck underride crashes are often severe is the lack of adequate safety measures on trucks. Many trailers lack rear guards. These features prevent smaller vehicles from sliding underneath during a collision. Without these barriers, passenger vehicles are vulnerable to underride accidents. Many of these crashes have serious consequences for occupants.
Visibility and recognition challenges
Other factors contributing to truck underride crashes include visibility and recognition challenges. Due to the height of commercial trucks, smaller vehicles may have difficulty spotting them from a distance. This increases the risk of collisions. The reflective properties of truck trailers may also prove insufficient, exacerbating visibility issues for drivers approaching from behind. Improved lighting systems and reflective markings can enhance truck visibility and reduce the likelihood of underride accidents.
PBS reports that more than 400 people died in truck underride crashes in the United States in 2021. However, many believe underreporting is at play, and that the true number of underride crashes taking place each year is much higher. By implementing comprehensive safety measures and raising awareness, transportation and safety officials can work toward preventing future tragedies on the nation’s roads.