Since 1998, airbags have been a standard safety feature in passenger cars, and for good reason—they increase the safety of drivers and passengers and significantly contribute to saving lives. However, when it comes to Class 8 trucks, airbags are still treated as an optional “extra.” If truck drivers want frontal and side-roll airbag protection, it’s on them to advocate for it.
Why is this the case? It’s a question that every professional driver should be asking and bringing attention to.
Here are the facts: airbags unquestionably save lives. They’re readily available through all major Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), yet not a single OEM has made airbags standard equipment on new trucks. Shockingly, more than half of driver/passenger fatalities in heavy trucks result from rollovers. With airbags, this number could be decreased.
Gemini Motor Transport, a subsidiary of Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores, recognizes the critical importance of airbag protection. They’ve become a respected safety leader in the industry by prioritizing the well-being of their drivers.
“I never want to make that phone call. It’s hard enough when a driver gets hurt. I don’t want to go that next step where I have to attend a funeral or see a husband or a wife and kids devastated because of something that happened on the road in an accident,” said Brent Bergevin, Gemini’s vice president of transportation. “I’ve never made that call, and hopefully, I never will.”
Because of this, the company refuses to purchase a truck without RollTek onboard.
“It saves lives. I can think off the top of my head five guys that are here today that wouldn’t have been without RollTek,” he said.
Reiff Simmons, Gemini’s regional manager, agrees with and supports this sentiment.
“When you have a bad accident, and the driver walks away from it with something as simple as a scratch,” Simmons said. “Then you look at the condition of the truck, you look at the seat that they were in, and you know all those things played a factor into that driver walking away. You’re like, why in the world aren’t other companies, you know, installing this kind of technology in their new equipment?”
Until airbag safety becomes federally mandated or universally considered standard for all vehicles, including Class 8 trucks, it falls upon fleet operators, managers, carrier leaders, and drivers to demand it. Today, you have the opportunity to play your part in saving lives and preventing injuries. And always remember: buckle up for safety.
Source: Transport Topics
