The United States Transportation Safety board has urged regulators to consider making side guards mandatory on new trucks. Board members hope that the guards will help to prevent motorists from being crushed beneath trucks.
The push and recommendation (which began this month after a series of semi-recent pedestrian and cyclist deaths) intends to reduce death and injury on American roadways and are being presented to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NTSB).
Side guards are currently being evaluated, and pressure is also being placed on Canada to take similar action.
Such guards are currently required on European and Japanese trucks.
A number of Canadian communities have begun to cover side gaps on municipal vehicles. To retrofit each truck would cost roughly $1,500 (per truck).
Transport Canada rejects the push to make side guards legal.
Sources
The Globe And Mail
The Star