In 2021 alone over 1600 people were killed on the road, and a further 26,701 seriously injured.
Earlier this year the Department for Transport updated the Highway Code, and clarified the hierarchy of road users. The changes were made to protect more vulnerable road users including pedestrians and cyclists, and to improve road safety overall.
Understandably, due to the size of vehicles operating in small spaces, HGVs are subject to far greater risk of having an incident than other vehicles. Subsequently, it’s important they’re given the tools and resources needed to mitigate this risk as much as possible.
Technology is one of the most valuable tools available to achieve this.
Even in the last 5 years, technology has developed to provide drivers with the right information at the right time to prevent numerous incidents. AI technology in particular has been key in this technological advance; analysing roads and space around the vehicle and proactively identifying danger and alerting drivers when necessary.
Glen Mullins, Managing Director of VUE commented; “Technology is a proven solution for improving road safety, and it's only getting better and better".
Over the past year VUE has launched two products which significantly impact the safety of drivers and pedestrians.
“Firstly, we have Pedestrian AI, a solution which identifies and alerts when someone is within a high-risk area around a vehicle.”
The technology helps drivers prioritise pedestrians along with other vulnerable road users, especially helpful when larger vehicles such as HGVs and buses are manoeuvring in built up areas with little to no visibility. It’s also a great solution for construction sites, where heavy machinery is constantly having to be operated surrounded by pedestrians on-site.
“Then we have Driver Distraction AI. Let’s face it, driving can be monotonous at times, and after a long shift it’s easy for drivers to become distracted. Driver Distraction AI helps drivers to stay focused on the road.”
This is a preventative solution which alerts the driver in-cab if a distraction ‘event’ such as yawning, smoking, or mobile phone use is identified. It monitors behaviour in real time and provides audible alerts for the driver in-cab. It can also link to reporting tools to help keep track of driver performance and help fleet managers take steps to improve driver behaviour.
Dr Andrew Kemp, Operational Fleet Risk Manager at VUE stated, “Road safety starts with drivers; strong driver education and behaviour leads to less incidents and safer roads.”
Dr Kemp is currently working on developing an interactive driver education e-learning platform. His aim is simple; to give drivers the knowledge to enable them to do their jobs safely, and effectively.
Dr Kemp continues, “Driver onboarding cannot be underestimated. Giving drivers the appropriate tools and knowledge from the beginning can be unbelievably powerful in terms of incident reduction.”
Improving road safety has long been a priority of VUE and continues to be so. The team have been working with new technology to bring more exciting products to the market in 2023, all of which will help mitigate road risk.
As Glen Mullins concluded; “We’re just happy that we can do our bit to help improve safety for everybody on our roads and drive the road safety agenda forward.
Road Safety Week is Brake's biggest annual road safety campaign. Learn more about it here: https://www.brake.org.uk/road-safety-week.
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