Underride guards, or side guards have saved the lives of countless pedestrians and cyclists. Officially called lateral protective devices, side guards surprisingly aren’t nationally mandated yet. That’s because it isn’t known widely enough how truck side guards save lives.
Truck side guards save lives because they prevent cyclists and pedestrians from getting stuck beneath commercial trucks. Upon colliding with commercial trucks, pedestrians and cyclists often fall into the space between the front and rear wheels. Side guards prevent this from happening, which lessens the severity of injuries and prevents deaths.
While you can still get hurt, the injuries are far less severe than getting run over by a commercial truck’s wheels. With plenty of data to show the benefits of lateral protective devices, it’s shocking that they aren’t legally required. Follow along as we explore how truck side guards save lives, protecting pedestrians, cyclists, and cars alike.
How Do Truck Side Guards Work?
Truck side guards, or truck lateral devices attach to the sides of trucks to protect pedestrians. They are typically made of durable materials, like high-strength aluminum. Truck side guards cover the space between the back and front wheels on commercial trucks.
This prevents pedestrians and cyclists from getting stuck beneath large trucks upon colliding with them. The height of a commercial truck has a lot to do with how dangerous it is for pedestrians and cyclists. Greater front-end heights make it easier for pedestrians to fall under commercial trucks.
Recent data suggests a 22% higher risk of pedestrian fatalities even if a truck is just 10 cm taller than usual. Some truck lateral devices are also designed to prevent cars from getting swept beneath trucks. These are particularly helpful in tight, high-traffic areas with many collisions.
Do Truck Side Guards Prevent Injury?
Truck side guards don’t entirely prevent injury, but they make injuries much less severe. For example, a cyclist or pedestrian may still collide with the side of the truck. However, they will collide with a dense aluminum or steel guard instead of getting stuck beneath the truck.
Lateral protective devices serve as barriers between pedestrians and a commercial truck’s undercarriage. The League of American Bicyclists has said that side guards save lives, despite not preventing injury. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 17 deaths and 69 severe injuries could be avoided each year with truck side guards.
The NHSA also says that mandated side guard guards could result in up to $169 million in annual safety benefits. Equipping all trucks and trailers in the U.S. with lateral protective devices could cost $970 million. This is a small price considering the estimated 2 million semi-trucks and 5.6 million semi-trailers in the U.S.
Are Truck Side Guards Required?
Truck side guards aren’t currently required in the United States. However, they are required in the United Kingdom, which has seen an increase in pedestrian and cyclist safety. Cyclist deaths caused by truck impact declined by 61% after truck lateral protective devices became required.
This has yet to happen in the United States, many private fleets use side guards to minimize risk. Lobbyists continue to push for legally mandating side guards nationally.
Are Truck Side Guards Worth It?
Truck side guards are worth it considering how effectively they prevent deaths. Of the 15 cyclist deaths in NYC last year, 6 of them were struck at intersections. Reports show that these deaths included bicyclists getting swept underneath a truck.
These tragic deaths could have largely been avoided if the trucks had side guards. Many cyclist deaths occurred in turn lanes where it’s easier to slide under a truck’s trailers. Truck side guards typically start around $2,000, which is a small price compared to the toll of a preventable tragedy.
Preventable truck fatalities are emotionally, logistically, and financially taxing. Companies understandably face lawsuits in some cases under such tragic circumstances.
Reduce Risk With Dur-A-Guard
At Dur-A-Guard, we manufacture custom-made truck side guards to protect cyclists and pedestrians alike. Our powder-coated, high-strength aluminum truck lateral protective devices are durable and made to fit. Easily removable, our side guards won’t get in the way of routine commercial truck maintenance.
The wealth of studies and statistics showing the many benefits of truck side guards speak for themselves. Always free for commissions, we are happy to collaborate and custom-build guides whether it be a single truck or fitting a fleet. Call Dur-A-Guard at (908)-688-0800 to ask about our durable truck side guards.
