Are Side Guards Enough to Prevent Undercarriage Semi Truck Accidents?

Reg Reinoso

Author

Underride accidents involving semi-trucks are among the most devastating types of collisions on the road. These accidents occur when a smaller vehicle slides underneath the trailer of a semi-truck, often leading to catastrophic injuries or fatalities. In recent years, there has been a growing call for the use of side guards on trucks as a preventive measure. These guards are designed to block vehicles from becoming trapped beneath the truck in the event of a crash.

However, while the trucking industry has made strides in adding these guards to many vehicles, a recent report from June 2024 from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has raised serious concerns about whether they are truly effective. 

The Disturbing Findings from the NHTSA Report

In a 2024 report to Congress, NHTSA reviewed the current state of side underride protection for semi-trucks and trailers and highlighted several disturbing findings.

First, the report revealed that side underride crashes are significantly underreported. Through a detailed analysis of crash data from 2017, NHTSA found that the number of fatalities from these types of crashes was 80% higher than previously recorded. By adjusting for this underreporting, the agency estimated that approximately 18 fatalities and 81 injuries occur each year due to side underride crashes involving light vehicles.

Moreover, NHTSA found that current side guards only offer protection in crashes occurring at speeds up to 40 mph. The effectiveness of these guards dramatically drops in higher-speed collisions, where most underride crashes occur. The report also noted that in many crashes, there were no signs of braking or attempts to avoid the collision, suggesting that in real-world conditions, the side guards may offer even less protection than the research suggests.

The report concluded that side guards, as they currently stand, are not sufficient to prevent underride crashes or provide a meaningful reduction in fatalities.

Emerging Technology to Prevent Undercarriage Trucking Accidents

The Advisory Committee on Underride Protection (ACUP) is a group of experts established to advise the NHTSA and Congress on strategies to reduce underride crashes and fatalities. The committee is made up of various interested parties, including safety advocates, crash victims’ families, trailer manufacturers, truck operators, and engineers, among other experts. There was a divide among the committee members as to the best course of action. 

The ACUP majority emphasized the need for a comprehensive overhaul of side guard regulations. They recommend that NHTSA improves how it accounts for underreported categories of victims, such as pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorcyclists. These vulnerable groups face serious risks in collisions with trucks, yet current side guards are not designed to protect them. The majority believes stronger, more effective side guards could prevent thousands of injuries and deaths each year.

Meanwhile, the minority of ACUP members argue that emerging technologies, such as automatic emergency braking systems and other advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), could be more effective at preventing underride crashes. These systems could address the root cause of these accidents without the added financial burden of retrofitting trucks with side guards. 

While side guards have been a step toward reducing the risk of underride accidents, the findings from the 2024 NHTSA report make it clear that these measures alone are not enough. As debates continue, it is evident that more robust solutions are needed. The key to preventing these tragic trucking accidents lies in comprehensive, data-driven strategies that address all contributing factors.

Please note this article is for informational purposes and is not a substitute for legal advice.