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CEMEX has picked up an award for improving driver visibility and cyclist safety, as reported by Bikeforall.net.
The materials company has added a number of safety measure to its fleet of HGVs, including a new fish/frog eye mirror to improve blind spot visibility at the near side and front of the vehicle. Cyclist warning signs have also been fitted to its vehicles warning of the dangers of cyclists undertaking.
The firm is now aiming to fit proximity sensor ‘side scan’ systems to its new vehicles which will warn the driver of anything to the left ‘danger zone’ area of the vehicle.
CEMEX received the Construction Products Association’s 2009 edition of Construction Products Innovation and Achievement (CPIA) for its safety boosting measures.
"We are very pleased to have been included in this year’s CPIA publication,” said CEMEX UK president Gonzalo Galindo. “Collisions between large vehicles and cyclists can have very serious consequences, and our investigations show that there is a particular risk for incidents at road junctions and when cyclists are on the nearside of vehicles turning left.
"CEMEX has therefore introduced a number of new vehicle features to improve safety, including a new mirror for better nearside visibility and a cyclist warning sign. We are also investing in a proximity sensor system on all new vehicles to warn drivers of anything in the danger zone to the left of the vehicle, and fitting side under-run bars on tippers, as extra protection for cyclists and other vulnerable road users."
He added: "We hope that this will make life safer for cyclists and other people on the road. It is important that our industry recognises and showcases innovation, and we are grateful that CPIA 2009 does this."
Cyclist visibility from lorries is thought to be key to improving safety for riders. Earlier this year Transport for London revealed that improving visibility for lorries had reduced the number of cyclist deaths and injuries in the capital.
