AVON, Ohio – Bendix Commercial Vehicles, LLC joined the national recognition of America’s truckers during the ongoing American Trucking Association’s (ATA) National Truck Driver Appreciation Week 2023.
“The entire Bendix team offers its heartfelt thanks to America’s truck drivers this week and every week,” said Lance Hansen, vice president – aftermarket sales, fleet, service, and field operations at Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC (Bendix). “Our country owes a debt of gratitude to its dedicated drivers, who perform an invaluable service that often goes unseen and unrecognized by the millions of people who depend on them.”
This year’s National Truck Driver Appreciation Week marks the 35th installment of the event. According to ATA, truck drivers safely and securely transport almost 11.5 billion tons of freight each year – about 70% of all freight moved in the United States. More than 80% of communities depend solely on trucks to receive their goods. “Miles of Gratitude” is the 2023 event’s theme, a nod to the approximately 300 billion miles that America’s more than 3.5 million drivers travel each year.
“National Truck Driver Appreciation Week is a great opportunity to honor America’s professional truckers,” said Fred Andersky, director – demos, sales and service training at Bendix. “At Bendix, we’re proudly committed to supporting their hard work behind the wheel by developing systems and solutions that help provide safer trucks – so that everyone can return home safely to their loved ones at day’s end.”
An Assist on the Road
Bendix is the North American leader in the development and manufacture of active safety, air management, and braking system technologies for commercial vehicles, including advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) that deliver stability control and collision mitigation. These solutions are engineered to help drivers do their jobs more safely – but there’s nothing that can replace a skilled and alert driver.
“There is simply no bigger factor in commercial vehicle and highway safety than the person driving,” said Andersky, who holds a Class A CDL. “ADAS technologies are designed to support and complement drivers – and to help prevent even the best driver from having a bad day due to constantly changing road and traffic situations.”
In addition to ADAS technologies, other integrated Bendix solutions supporting driver safety, comfort, and convenience include active steering, air disc brakes, blind spot monitoring, and lane departure warning. Among the robust benefits of Bendix’s active steering system, for instance, is help in reducing driver fatigue. Lane Keep Assist provides steering torque to help guide a drifting vehicle back toward its lane. New steering-assistance features include compensation to counter crosswinds or road crowning and more.
With air disc brakes, drivers appreciate shorter stopping distance, along with smoother, straighter, and more stable stops, for a car-like feel and virtually no brake fade. Bendix’s air treatment technologies help keep the braking system and other crucial functions operating at their peak.
Additionally, Bendix electronic parking brake technology helps prevent rollaways and improves the in-cab ergonomics with an electronic switch that eliminates the “sting” of push-pull air brake valves. The switch includes built-in LED indicator lights that show the status of the brake immediately, offering another advantage over traditional valves.
“Bendix safety technologies complement safe driving practices,” Andersky emphasized. “No commercial vehicle safety technology replaces a skilled, alert driver exercising safe driving techniques and proactive, comprehensive driver training. Responsibility for the safe operation of the vehicle remains with the driver at all times.”
To view the entire announcement, click HERE.
