Two manufacturers of turning assistance systems want to make turning safer in Germany.
Luis Technology and Wüllhorst Fahrzeugbau successfully presented their new systems this year.
And they are encountering fertile ground, because from 2022 onwards, turning assistants will be mandatory for buses and trucks in Germany. This is intended to minimize the often fatal turning accidents involving pedestrians and cyclists.
Politicians speak of an effect similar to that after the introduction of the first seat belts.
All this is part of the “Vision Zero” initiative, according to which the EU aims to reduce traffic fatalities and injuries to zero by 2050.
But these systems are relevant not only for road safety, but also for logistics.
This article explains why we welcome this development and what it means for you.
New driver assistance systems for fewer traffic accidents
In 2017, approximately 388,000 people were injured in accidents on German roads.
Around 3,200 people lost their lives.
These serious accidents often involve trucks and buses, and curves in particular can quickly become traps due to the larger blind spot.
The EU and the German government expect nothing less than a revolution from the new turning assistance systems.
As part of the “ Vision Zero ” initiative, the goal is to reduce traffic fatalities and injuries to zero by 2050.
From 2022 onwards, all new cars will be equipped with lane keeping assist, intelligent speed assistance and an enhanced emergency braking assist system.
The turning systems are a further step in this direction.
And the federal government is spending a considerable amount on this.
5 million per year for turning assistance systems
Federal Minister Andreas Scheuer recently stated in an interview that accidents caused by turning trucks and buses are avoidable tragedies.
However, since the EU is only considering mandatory installation of turning assistance systems from 2024 onwards, he believes the federal government has a duty to take action sooner.
Consequently, the BMVI created the "Action Turning Assistant" funding program to promote the installation and retrofitting of turning assistants.
The BMVI provides five million euros per year for this purpose.
Applications for the funding program can be submitted from January 21, 2019.
This campaign is initially limited until the end of 2024.
The federal government hopes that these measures will significantly increase road safety and reduce turning accidents.
This should also make cycling and walking more attractive.
But the new systems offer great opportunities not only for road safety, but also for logistics.
Transporting hazardous materials or sensitive goods requires extremely careful procedures. Turning assistance systems increase safety during transport and ensure that goods are not damaged, even in complex situations.
Conclusion
The federal government is working hard and has launched a multi-million euro funding program this year.
However, no regulations are yet in sight at the EU level. Turn assist systems are not expected to become mandatory until 2024.
And as long as no new laws on turning safety are passed in Brussels, the measures remain on a voluntary basis.
As an OCS freight forwarding company, we welcome the introduction of these new systems and the efforts at the federal level to spread the new technologies as quickly as possible.
We ensure that our vehicles always meet the highest technological standards and we will use the new systems where possible.
