Capital Equipment News September2022

HEAVY COMMERCIAL VEHICLES

When someone is in the blind spot zone, Side Collision Avoidance Support informs the driver via a red light on the relevant side mirror.

Volvo Trucks’ safety DNA leads to innovation

Some would argue that Volvo is synonymous with the word safety. Safety is built into the brand’s heritage, and it is a central part of the company’s identity. “​W e innovate and produce solutions that pre vent accidents from happening – and reduce the consequences if an accident does occur,” said Waldemar Christensen, MD of Volvo Trucks South Africa. “​In addition to making our trucks as safe as possible, we promote safe driving and raise awareness about traffic safety.” ​ Decades of safety research Since 1969, the Volvo Trucks accident research team has compiled and analysed data about accidents involving their vehicles. These results provide valuable input when creating trucks for the future. ​ Globally, more than 1,3-million people die each year in road accidents. Aiming for safety for all road users is crucial if these numbers are to be reduced. “We look at safety from different perspectives, inside as well as outside the truck. It’s this approach that enables us to create systems that go beyond what’s required by authorities. And it guides us towards our vision of zero accidents with Volvo trucks,” says Christensen. For Volvo Trucks, developing safer trucks has always been about more than protection. Utilising the advances in technology, the company creates smart safety systems that are designed to monitor the truck behaviour and surrounding traffic to predict safety hazards and intervene to prevent accidents from happening. The systems may be out of sight, but they are engineered to activate, to support the driver in many different situations, making the trucks as safe as possible for the driver and all other road users.

According to Volvo Trucks’ research, more than 90% of all accidents are caused by the human factor. “It’s true that in most accidents the human factor plays a role – which includes all road users, not only truck drivers. I would say that most truck drivers are very skilled,” says Anna Wrige Berling, traffic and product safety director at Volvo Trucks. “And it’s important to remember that there is also a positive side to the human factor. Truck drivers – as well as other road users – avoid many more accidents than they cause, thanks to their actions and reactions. Having said that, things like driver training, an increased safety mindset, and risk awareness among all road users are very important in reducing the number of accidents.” Traffic safety Traffic safety is a complex puzzle, and the biggest pieces of that puzzle are safe vehicles, safe roads and safe road users. Volvo Trucks’ main contribution is to develop safe vehicles, but the company

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