In Avesta, Sweden, basic industries like iron and steel mining have long been an essential part of the economy. And for more than 60 years, Ernsts Express haulage company has helped keep those industries running by transporting basic materials such as steel, gases, and grains. Today, the hauler has 170 employees and operates a fleet of around 80 trucks, with customers including Linde AG, SSAB, Outokumpu Abp, and Boliden.
“Our work is currently focused on preventing driver drowsiness and distraction, and especially distraction connected to smartphones. We have tested several different systems focusing on distraction, but what I think is unique about Smart Eye’s system is its ability to detect both distraction and drowsiness.”
— Roger Blom, CEO at Ernsts Express
Why Ernsts Express always puts safety first
As experienced transporters of hazardous goods, Ernsts Express is not one to take road safety lightly. Roger Blom, CEO of Ernsts Express, explains why safe transport will always be a top priority:
“When transporting hazardous goods, accidents can have serious consequences. For example, if some of the goods leak into water, it could become contaminated and potentially harm both people and the environment.”
But when your office is the cab of a truck, road safety becomes a workplace issue. This further motivates Ernsts Express to adopt a proactive strategy to prevent accidents and ensure their vehicles are equipped with available safety systems. They were also early adopters of interlock devices, which have been installed in their vehicles for the last 20 years.
Drowsiness and Distraction: The Biggest Threats to Safe Roads
For haulage companies specializing in long transports, it’s common practice for drivers to work in shifts. Ernsts Express, with some vehicles on the road for 24 hours a day, are no exception. And after more than half a century in the industry, they are well aware that drivers who work night shifts are more prone to drowsiness. But in recent years, another threat to road safety has become increasingly hard to ignore: the smartphone.
“Our work is currently focused on preventing driver drowsiness and distraction, and especially distraction connected to smartphones. We have tested several different systems focusing on distraction, but what I think is unique about Smart Eye’s system is its ability to detect both distraction and drowsiness.”
Putting Smart Eye’s Technology to the Test
It was after talking to customer Linde AG, as well as Ernsts Express’s insurance company, that Roger Blom picked up the phone and called Smart Eye, proposing a field test. And by early November, Smart Eye’s technology had been installed in one of Ernsts Express’s trucks. Over the course of one month, four drivers from Ernsts Express will test the system in real-world settings. Based on this research, Smart Eye and Ernsts Express will work together to find the best solution not just for detecting driver distraction, but for taking action to prevent it. Roger Blom believes the tests could bring Ernsts Express one important step closer to their goal of becoming Sweden’s safest haulage company.
“Driver distraction and drowsiness are among what we consider to be the biggest road safety risks today. But I think our plan to run field tests has been well received by Smart Eye, and I’m eagerly anticipating the test results. If the system is able to eliminate the risks of driver drowsiness and distraction, then I see Smart Eye’s solution as the future standard in Ernsts Express’s vehicles.”
