The Volvo FE LEC has a Thompson steel tipper body and Palfinger Epsilon grab – and features Volvo’s lower nearside window and additional safety window options.
The FM 8x4 PPG-insulated bodied tipper is in the high-visibility livery of the Metropolitan Police, as seen at the CV Show back in April this year, and now being used in London on the ‘Exchanging Places’ cyclist awareness programme.
John Comer, product marketing manager at Volvo Group Trucks UK and Ireland, says that all additional safety equipment is aimed at providing drivers with re-optimised direct vision in urban environment.
Prices vary across the UK and Ireland, but typically £320 is the going rate for the FL or FE window fitted on the production line, while around £1,500 is the list price for the FM retrofit, he says.
Meanwhile, drifting out of lane is a common cause of serious accidents in urban traffic, so, as from this month these trucks will also have the option of Lane Keeping Support from £375 (list), he adds.
Side vision can also be improved by the fitment of electric mirrors, additional cameras, sensors and graphics, which are available via Roadcrew, Volvo Group’s aftermarket products and services subsidiary, through Volvo dealerships nationwide.
“Volvo’s own research tells us that up to 90% of road accidents are driver-related, which means we need technologies that aid and assist the human factor if we are to reduce injuries and fatalities,’’ comments Comer.