Sidebeskyttere

Sidebeskyttere, often translated as side protectors or side guards, are safety devices fitted to vehicles, typically commercial trucks and buses, to prevent smaller vehicles from getting trapped underneath the chassis in the event of a collision. These structures are usually made of metal bars or mesh and are mounted along the sides of the vehicle, between the front and rear wheels. The primary purpose of sidebeskyttere is to reduce the risk of underride accidents, where a car slides beneath the trailer or chassis of a larger vehicle, leading to severe injuries or fatalities for the occupants of the smaller car.

Regulations regarding the installation and design of sidebeskyttere vary by country and region, but they are generally mandated for larger vehicles to enhance road safety. The effectiveness of sidebeskyttere depends on their strength, height, and the spacing of their components. Modern designs aim to be robust enough to deflect or stop an oncoming vehicle while also being lightweight and not significantly impacting fuel efficiency. They are an important passive safety feature that complements active safety systems in mitigating the consequences of side-impact accidents involving vehicles of different sizes.