Blind-side accidents tackled by Volvo09 May 2011

Volvo Trucks has announced measures to tackle the problem of blind spots at every level, using new technology and public traffic education.

As a truck has more blind spots than a car does it is particularly difficult – despite the fitting of four rear-view mirrors – to get a good rear view along the vehicle's right side. Statistics show that 20 per cent of all accidents between road users and trucks occur when the truck turns at a junction.

"As long as there is a need for transporting goods in cities, there will be trucks on the streets. But there are things we can do to improve the situation, and blind-side turns have been identified as a particularly relevant safety issue," says Carl Johan Almqvist, traffic and product safety director at Volvo Trucks.

"If you stop at a red light, the environment around you changes while your vehicle is stationary," adds Malte Ahrholdt, project manager at Volvo Technology. "Meanwhile, the driver is focusing on something else, such as the traffic lights or looking for a suitable gap in the traffic ahead,"

Ahrholdt works with Intersafe-2, an EU-financed project that focuses on making crossroads less dangerous. Volvo Trucks' contribution to the project is a system that aims at solving the problem of the truck driver's blind spot on the passenger side. In a test truck, he and his colleagues have fitted laser scanners and ultrasonic sensors that monitor the area on the right of the vehicle. When a cyclist or pedestrian gets too close, the truck driver is alerted by flashing lights and audible warning signals.

The system developed by Intersafe-2 is still at the development stage. However, Volvo Trucks is already offering solutions that make it easier for drivers to keep an eye on other road users.

"Our safety enhancement efforts continue constantly. We have a vision that states that we will never accept any accidents," says Almqvist. "That's why we must constantly be on the lookout for new and better ways of working with safety. It's our responsibility as a truck manufacturer."

Author
John Challen

Related Websites
http://www.volvotrucks.com/

Related Companies
Volvo Trucks Belgium NV

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