Wednesday, May 01, 2013
Fleets urged not to turn a blind eye to blind spots
Brake invites fleets to sign up for vital road safety seminar
Brake, the road safety charity is urging fleet managers to sign up for a vital seminar on blind spots and manoeuvring: preventing crashes with cyclists and pedestrians on 28 May 2013 in Birmingham. The seminar, kindly sponsored by Brigade Electronics, will aim to address the causes of collisions between cyclists and commercial vehicles.
More than one in ten (13%) cyclist collisions involve commercial vehicles such as trucks, vans, coaches and buses, and these crashes can have a devastating impact on both the cyclist and the driver. One sixth (16%) of crashes between commercial vehicles and cyclists kill or seriously injure the cyclist, and up to a third of drivers involved in a crash will suffer from psychological problems for up to a year after the collision, even if their physical injuries were minor. Crashes with cyclists and pedestrians can have enormous human and financial costs for businesses.
Brake's half-day seminar will address the risks associated with vehicle blind spots and manoeuvring vehicles, including reversing, which pose a significant hazard to pedestrians and cyclists. Speakers from the Institute of Mechanical Engineers and the Metropolitan Police will lead the session, looking at current developments relating to these critical issues, including technological solutions such as vehicle-side cameras and additional mirrors, as well as measures such as driver training techniques.
The seminar will include a live vehicle demonstration, as well as a best practice case study presented by Cemex, including information and practical advice other fleets can take away and implement.
To book your place today for just £70 + VAT for Brake subscribers (£120 + VAT for non-subscribers) click hereor contact Brake at admin@brake.org.uk or call +44 (0)1484 559909.
Roslyn Cumming, professional engagement manager at Brake, said: "Addressing the risks associated with vehicle blind spots and manoeuvring vehicles, including reversing, is an essential part of fleet safety policies and procedures. In light of these survey results, it has never been more important for fleets to address the costs of road crashes and build a reputation for road safety. I urge managers of all types of fleets, from cars to commercial vehicles, to attend."
Emily Randall, Marketing Communications at Brigade Electronics, said: "Our demonstration vehicle will be available at the blind spots seminar to enable fleet managers to see the types of technology available, including SmarteyeTM powered by ASL, our NEW intelligent camera monitor system that provides the driver with a 360° bird's-eye view of the vehicle for effortless manoeuvring.
Fleet managers will also be able to listen to our unique White Sound reversing alarms (bbs-tek®) which are instantly locatable making them much safer than beeping alarms." For more information visit www.brigade-electronics.com
For media enquiries, please contact Franki Hackett on 01484 550063, or fhackett@brake.org.uk
DATED: 01.05.13
FEED: HA