Emergency braking systems could have contributed to accident prevention in every pedestrian collision analysed in a joint study by Daimler Truck, DEKRA and TU Dresden researchers. The study examined 75 truck accidents from 2015 to 2024 in which vulnerable road users, including pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists, were killed or seriously injured.

For pedestrian scenarios, truck driver visibility showed potential to reduce accident severity in 93% of cases, with collision warning systems rating 94% and emergency braking assistants covering every case analysed. The study also highlights the potential of passive measures such as wheel underride guards and front underrun protection.

In cyclist accidents, direct visibility and emergency braking systems each show preventive potential in around 80% of cases, with side underrun protection critical for preventing run-overs. For motorcyclists, blind-spot warning systems show the highest impact, with potential to avert serious or fatal injury in 83% of scenarios, with passive edge-and-corner protection under UNECE R61 offering additional mitigation.

The research covers 75 accident cases, each evaluated against a defined scheme by Daimler Truck, DEKRA and TU Dresden’s accident research unit working jointly from their combined databases. The findings reinforce the case for truck operators and manufacturers to treat both active driver assistance and passive structural protection as complementary priorities.

Source: DEKRA