Commercial vehicles (CVs) are going digital, and much of the admin and organisation work can now be completed via a touchscreen in the cab. At the same time, drivers are learning to work with new active safety systems that provide warnings and assistance behind the wheel. For many, it is a step change that could take some getting used to.

The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) is a non-profit organisation focussed on improving commercial vehicle safety across the US, Canada and Mexico. Taking the helm of the CVSA recently in October, industry veteran Scott Carnegie is tasked with addressing mounting challenges in this segment. According to data from the US Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), 4,440 large trucks and buses were involved in fatal crashes in 2016, a 2% increase from 2015. In 2017, a further 4,564 lives were lost in 4,079 crashes involving large trucks or buses – a slight decline, but safety standards clearly still have a long way to go.

Automotive World spoke to Carnegie to find out where the CVSA is headed under his direction…