The sensors are just one of a number of additional safety measures over and above legislation that CEMEX has added to its vehicles, making it a pioneer in the field of road safety, in particular cyclist safety.聽聽
CEMEX UK owns a fleet of 417 large vehicles which transport cement, aggregates, and readymixed concrete. 聽In 3 years the company has made significant investment in an on-going programme of fitting safety features. 聽All 417 vehicles are fitted with rear signage on the nearside corner and additional nearside mirrors which aid visibility all around the vehicle. 聽Proximity sensors and under run safety bars, if appropriate, are also being added.
"There has been a big increase in the number of cyclists on our roads, particularly in London with the introduction of the Cycle Hire Scheme and the Cycle Superhighways. 聽It is therefore, of critical importance that companies with lorries do everything they can to help their drivers be more aware of where cyclists are in relation to their lorries when they are out and about, and understand how best to protect vulnerable road users from avoidable, preventable collisions.聽聽
鈥淲e call on all companies with lorries to follow the CEMEX lead" comments Cynthia Barlow, Chair, Roadpeace
In 2004 following a number of incidents, CEMEX launched investigations into the driver鈥檚 field of vision which revealed that there was a high risk of incidents at road junctions, when cyclists, who wanted to go straight on but were on the nearside, of a vehicle turning left.
The nearside proximity sensors help both the driver and the cyclist should the cyclist move up the left hand side of the vehicle. 聽The sensors are activated when the vehicle鈥檚 left indicator is on and a cyclist moves up the nearside of the vehicle. A voice activated message is triggered to warn the cyclist and an alarm in the cab alerts the driver.聽
鈥淥ur performance in this field reflects the company鈥檚 ability to think ahead and go beyond the 鈥渃all of duty鈥�, set by legislation. 聽For a rigid vehicle, the sensors cost just 拢450 and all the features, that is the mirrors, signage and if appropriate, under-run safety bars, approximately 拢800. 聽Even with a large fleet, the time and money invested is worth every penny if it can save just one accident.鈥� 聽says Matt Wild, 聽Vice President, Commercial Cement, Building Products and Logistics.聽聽
As a leader in cyclist safety, CEMEX has been chosen by London Metropolitan Police to support their 鈥淓xchanging Places鈥� programme. Cyclists, at a central London venue, are invited to get into the cab of the vehicle to see the road from the driver鈥檚 perspective and learn about the areas around a vehicle where a driver may not see a cyclist.
In addition showing cyclists the safety features, serves to highlight the potential dangers and create awareness. 聽To date CEMEX has taken part in 23 events in London with an on-going programme of events outside the capital.
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