Heavy Vehicle Wheel Detachment: A Safety Challenge for the Transport Industry
A recent Swedish survey highlights the serious risks of wheel detachment in heavy transport. As the industry looks for ways to improve road safety, intelligent vehicle technology has an important role to play.
Survey Sheds Light on Wheel Detachment Risks
A recent questionnaire survey by the Swedish Tire Safety Council (Svenska däcksäkerhetsrådet) provides insight into wheel detachment incidents involving trucks and other heavy vehicles in Sweden.
Conducted in summer 2025, the survey gathered responses from 222 participants, primarily from transport companies and tire workshops.
One in four respondents (25%) reported experience of a heavy vehicle losing a wheel within the previous five years, either as a driver, through an incident involving a colleague, or while servicing an affected vehicle.
Among respondents with such experience, 86% reported damage to the vehicle that lost the wheel, while 8% indicated that an incident had resulted in a traffic accident. One in ten also reported extensive or irreparable damage to other vehicles.
The survey also points to potential underreporting, with 70% of respondents believing that some wheel detachment incidents may go unreported.
While the limited sample cannot establish how frequently wheel detachments occur across Sweden, the results highlight a safety concern that deserves continued attention from the heavy transport industry.
Why Early Detection Matters in Heavy Transport
One particularly notable finding is that trailers and semi-trailers were the most frequently reported locations of wheel detachment, mentioned by 69% of respondents with relevant experience.
The report also raises an important challenge: the greater the distance between the driver and the wheels, the harder it may be to notice warning signs such as unusual vibrations or noises.
For heavy transport operations, where vehicles often travel long distances, the ability to identify potential wheel-related issues early can be particularly valuable.
Bringing Intelligent Safety Technology to Heavy Transport
At NIRA Dynamics, we believe that detecting potential risks early is an important part of making roads safer. Our software-based technologies can help bring greater awareness of potential safety risks to trucks and other commercial vehicles.
One example is our Loose Wheel Indicator (LWI), designed to detect wheel loosening within minutes and immediately alert the driver, enabling early action before the situation becomes a serious safety risk. The same technology used in passenger cars can also be applied to heavy vehicles, where the consequences of wheel detachment can be particularly serious.
By complementing proper wheel installation, regular maintenance, and post-installation checks, LWI can provide an additional layer of awareness and support a more proactive approach to safety in heavy transport.
Read more about NIRA's Loose Wheel Indicator (LWI)
Working Towards Safer Heavy Transport
The Swedish Tire Safety Council calls for further research, clearer guidance on safe wheel installation, and better monitoring of wheel detachment incidents.
These recommendations reinforce the importance of combining industry knowledge, preventive maintenance, and intelligent vehicle technology.
For NIRA, supporting the heavy transport industry with solutions that help identify potential risks early is a natural extension of our commitment to safer roads.
Because when it comes to heavy vehicles, detecting a problem before it becomes an accident can make all the difference.
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Want to explore the findings in more detail? Read the Swedish Tire Safety Council's official press release on wheel detachment in heavy vehicles.
Source: Swedish Tire Safety Council, Results of Questionnaire Survey on Heavy Vehicle Wheel Detachment, October 2026.
