Use real-time monitoring technology to monitor truck drivers’ behavior, says expert

KUALA LUMPUR: Using real-time monitoring technology on moving trucks can help reduce the risk of accidents caused by human factors, says an expert from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia.

Automotive and transport technology expert Dr. Mohd Azman Abas said it is crucial to monitor critical elements of drivers’ attitudes, behavior and physical fitness in real time to enhance road safety.

Dr. Mohd Azman said such a GPS tracking system should provide fleet managers with immediate feedback on driving performance, such as speed, braking patterns and general driving practices.

“With this data, fleet managers can immediately warn if drivers are speeding or driving dangerously,” said the director of the university’s Automotive Development Center (ADC).

“Some systems can also intervene automatically in vehicles, such as automatically limiting the speed of the vehicle if unsafe driving behavior is detected,” he told Bernama.

He said such a proactive approach can help prevent accidents before they happen, rather than just enforcing the law or setting lower speed limits and expecting drivers to comply.

Recently, several road accidents involving heavy vehicles, especially container trucks, have been reported resulting in fatalities, and most recently an incident involving a container trailer overturning on the northern North-South Expressway (Plus) near Simpang Renggam-Machap, Johor, which claimed the life of a motorcyclist.

Based on data released by the Bukit Aman Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department on Friday, small trucks, trailers and container trucks are the biggest contributors to accidents involving commercial vehicles from January to September as 168 cases were recorded.

Mohd Azman added that in addition to the drivers’ attitudes, their fatigue also contributed to accidents due to long periods of driving without rest.

“When following a tight route or trying to increase their income by making more trips, they experience fatigue that causes drivers to lose focus, react slowly and be prone to making mistakes when responding to emergencies.

“The absence of an assistant can also contribute to the risk of accidents, as there is no assistant driver to monitor road conditions, reduce the burden on the driver and assist in the correct loading and securing of goods,” he says . said.

Driving under the influence of drugs and other banned substances can also reduce cognitive ability and coordination, leading to risky decision-making on the road, Mohd Azman said.

He suggested that authorities should also hold fleet operators and companies responsible for vehicle maintenance and driver management to account, rather than just going after the drivers and vehicles involved.

“Strict actions such as suspending operations, issuing summons and taking action against truck companies if their vehicles or drivers are involved in accidents are very important measures and should be implemented immediately,” he said.

He also called for screening of qualified drivers; experience, good manners, having a valid driver’s license, defensive driving training and an in-depth understanding of safe driving techniques are also important to ensure more sensible driving.

Mohd Azman said screening measures with the involvement of authorities should include background checks of prospective drivers, including work records to ensure they have a clean and responsible driving record.

In addition to suspending drivers with poor traffic records and frequent violations of traffic laws, drivers with a history of reckless driving should also not be allowed to continue driving heavy vehicles.

“A record of repeated citations could be an indication that the driver may be making the same mistake, which could lead to a more serious accident and become a liability for the company or operator,” he said. – Bernama