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 hitting terrible ground, because turning assistants will be mandatory for buses and trucks in Germany from 2022. This is intended to minimize the often fatal turning accidents involving pedestrians and cyclists.
Politicians speak of a similar impact to that of the introduction of the first seat belts.
All within the framework of “Vision Zero”, according to which the EU aims to reduce traffic deaths and injuries to zero by 2050.
But these systems are not only relevant for traffic safety, but also for logistics.
In this article you will find out why we welcome this development and what it means for you.
New assistance systems for fewer traffic accidents
In 2017, around 388,000 people were injured in accidents on German roads.
Around 3,200 people died.
Trucks and buses are often involved in these serious accidents and curves in particular can quickly become a trap due to the larger blind spot.
The EU and the federal government hope that the new turning assistance systems will be nothing less than a revolution.
As part of “ Vision Zero ”, the goal is to reduce traffic deaths and injuries to zero by 2050.
From 2022 onwards, all new cars will be equipped with lane departure warning systems, intelligent speed assistance and an extended emergency braking assistance system.
The turning systems are a further step in this direction.
And that costs the federal government a lot.
5 million per year for turning assistance systems
Federal Minister Andreas Scheuer recently said in an interview that accidents caused by turning trucks and buses are avoidable dramas.
Since the EU is only considering mandatory installation of turning assistance systems from 2024, he sees the federal government as having an obligation to take measures earlier.
Consequently, the “Turning Assistant Campaign” was created by the BMVI to promote the equipping and retrofitting of turning assistants.
For this purpose, the BMVI provides five million euros per year.
Applications for the funding program have been possible since January 21, 2019.
This campaign is initially limited until the end of 2024.
Through these measures, the federal government hopes to significantly increase traffic safety and significantly reduce turning accidents.
This should also make cycling and walking more attractive.
But the new systems offer great opportunities not only for traffic safety, but also for logistics.
Hazardous transport or sensitive goods in particular require extremely careful handling. Turn assistance systems increase safety during transport and ensure that the goods are not damaged, even in complicated scenarios.
Conclusion
The federal government is busy and has launched a funding program worth millions this year.
But there are still no regulations in sight at the EU level. Turning assistance systems will only become mandatory from 2024.
And as long as no new laws on turning safety are passed in Brussels, the measures are on a voluntary basis.
As an OCS trucking 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.
