From blind‑spot radars to automatic emergency braking, safety tech in heavy trucks is moving from optional to expected. This week, fleet managers across Europe are finalizing 2026 orders to align with incoming EU rules that require front and side detection for vulnerable road users, while Australian buyers are preparing for the first phase of an AEB mandate to kick in late this year. North American carriers, anticipating federal action, continue speccing collision‑mitigation suites as standard on new Class 8 tractors. The result is a measurable shift: fewer urban sideswipes, fewer high‑speed rear‑end crashes, and more proactive maintenance driven by data rather than luck.
Regulation is setting the pace. In the EU, the General Safety Regulation has already required new truck types since July 2024 to include systems like Moving‑Off Information (front detection) and Blind‑Spot Information (nearside detection), with the rules extending to all new registrations in July 2026. London’s tighter Direct Vision Standard has been enforced since October 2024, pushing retrofits such as camera‑monitor systems and side sensors on urban rigs. Australia begins phasing in mandatory AEB for new heavy vehicles from late 2025, and North America’s proposed AEB rule for heavy trucks continues to advance, even as fleets voluntarily adopt it.
Together, these timelines are pulling advanced safety from premium trims into the mainstream spec sheet. The technology stack is maturing fast. Modern collision‑mitigation blends long‑range radar, wide‑angle cameras, and better software, enabling trucks to warn, brake, and stabilize more reliably in mixed traffic. Low‑speed front‑zone detection targets the moment a truck pulls away at a light, now a common focus to protect cyclists and pedestrians near the bumper.
Side radar and 360‑degree camera systems reduce risks during nearside turns and lane changes, while mirror‑camera replacements improve direct vision and cut blind spots. Under the skin, predictive tire and brake monitoring flags heat, pressure, and wear anomalies before they become blowouts or brake fades on long descents. Operators are seeing practical wins. Fleets report fewer near‑misses escalating to incidents on dense urban routes after deploying side and front detection, and insurers are rewarding trucks equipped with AEB and telematics‑based coaching.
Today’s AI‑enabled driver‑monitoring can spot distraction and drowsiness early, triggering gentle in‑cab alerts and follow‑up training rather than punitive action. Remote software updates are trimming false alerts and expanding scenarios AEB can handle, notably at higher speeds and with trailers of different lengths. Trailer‑mounted sensors and electronic braking coordination are also improving stability in crosswinds and during evasive maneuvers. The next frontier is connectivity and consistency.
Cooperative safety pilots now feed trucks live work‑zone and incident alerts, letting ADAS anticipate hazards instead of just reacting, and manufacturers are validating these features on proving grounds before rolling them into production. Retrofits matter too: camera‑monitor kits, nearside radars, and tire‑pressure systems are extending protection to legacy fleets ahead of 2026 EU cut‑offs and ongoing city requirements. Driver acceptance is improving as interfaces get clearer and nuisance alarms decline, a shift noted by trainers this month as new cohorts cycle through simulator sessions. With regulation tightening and hardware stabilizing, the remaining gains will come from data sharing across vehicles, trailers, and infrastructure so that warnings arrive seconds earlier—and crashes never happen.
