Automatic brakes stopped Berlin truck during Christmas market attack

[Zaibetter]

Maybe this device saved more lives, but what if the driver continues to press the gas pedal?

The European Union adopted mandatory automatic braking systems on all new trucks in 2012. The Berlin terror attack stopped after just 70 meters.

The truck that plowed into a Berlin Christmas market, killing 12, came to a halt due an automatic braking system, according to German media reports on Wednesday.
The automatic braking system potentially saved the lives of many more people in the recent terrorist attack.

An investigation by newspaper "Süddeutsche Zeitung" and broadcasters "NDR" and "WDR" found the Scania R 450 semi-trailer stopped after between 70 and 80 meters (250 feet). The system was reportedly engaged after sensing a collision.
Previous reports speculated that the truck had driven erratically and stopped due to the heroic actions of the truck's Polish driver, who lay fatally wounded in the cabin.
More than 80 people were killed in a similar attack on Bastille Day in Nice, when a 19 ton Renault Midlum truck was deliberately and repeatedly driven into crowds.
In 2012 the European Union adopted regulations requiring all new trucks exceeding 3,500 kilograms be fitted with advanced emergency braking systems. The systems initially alert drivers and then take evasive action.
The regulation was adopted to reduce the number of rear end collisions by trucks.

The Tunisian hijacker Anis Amri allegedly rammed the truck into the Christmas market near the iconic Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church at around 8:30 p.m. local time as locals and tourists gathered to enjoy the evening.
The attack wounded 48 people. Six Germans were killed in the attack as well as people from the Czech Republic, Italy, and Israel.
The truck had Polish license plates and was carrying steel beams.
Amri fled the scene and was later shot dead by police in the northern Italian city of Milan days later.
German police today arrested a 40-year-old Tunisian man on Wednesday suspicion of being an accomplice in the attack, which was claimed by the so-called "Islamic State."
Local media also reported that Amri had sent a selfie and the message "pray for me my brother" from inside the truck just minutes before the attack.

http://www.dw.com/en/automatic-brakes-stopped-berlin-truck-during-christmas-market-attack/a-36936455

 

[nottyboi]

The brakes on any road vehicle cannot be overcome by the engine. I think they should put a sensors on the front that shut the whole thing down as soon as an impact is detected. North America should also do it ASAP. The idea of truck attacks is out in the media. It is only a matter of time before some lunatic does it in North America.

Just put a driver replaceable module that shuts off the engine and applies the brakes. If it is something minor like an animal, the driver can just replace the part and keep trucking. But he must get out of the truck to do it and restart.

 

[IM469]

I didn't know forward auto braking was on trucks. There was a mandate by auto manufactures to make them standard by 2022.

Many refuse trucks have reverse auto braking in the large metropolitan areas. I bring it up because when I was reviewing our insurance with our brokers they told me the new Toronto waste contract was given to a company notorious for shortcuts on safety including omitting the reverse auto brake safety feature on their collection trucks.

 

[SkyRider]

I still don't understand how the truck could have been MIA for 4 hours. Aren't those vehicles equipped with GPS like our own school board trucks?

 

[DanJ]

I still don't understand how the truck could have been MIA for 4 hours. Aren't those vehicles equipped with GPS like our own school board trucks?

Only if the company that owns the truck installs them.

 

[SkyRider]

Only if the company that owns the truck installs them.

I know some (all?) transport companies here in Canada has equipped their trucks with GPS. There are truck thieves out there who want to steal the cargo. Now there are bastards who want to steal trucks and use them as mass murder weapon.

 

[Mazzi]

The brakes on any road vehicle cannot be overcome by the engine.

What? thats not exactly true, some older cars allow you to apply the brake and accellerate at the same time, and many rally cars can do this too.

 

[nottyboi]

What? thats not exactly true, some older cars allow you to apply the brake and accellerate at the same time, and many rally cars can do this too.

Rally cars use the rear brakes to correct their course, and BTW those are race cars, still, if you applied full 4 wheel brakes even a race car could probably not overcome its brakes. Airplanes can do it when they are light, that is the wheels sliding, When fully loaded even an airplane probably could not overcome its brakes. No road car can overcome its brakes. Go and try it. Apply full brakes and give it full power. I guarantee you will not move. Even if you have a beastly powerful La Ferrari.