Between 2008 and 2013, 55% of cyclist fatalities in London involved a heavy goods vehicle and nationally large goods vehicles over 3.5 tonnes are involved in approximately 15% of cyclist and 10% of pedestrian fatalities. Construction vehicles in particular have been found to be overrepresented in these figures. In London in 2011, seven of the nine HGVs involved were construction related.
Towergate is the first CLOCS Champion and FORS Associate member from the insurance industry and this year it is co-hosting a stand with CLOCS and FORS at the CV Show, displaying a brand-new Mercedes-Benz mixer vehicle on the stand, designed to improve safety for vulnerable road users.
Mercedes-Benz itself, another early-supporter of CLOCS, will be displaying its 4×2 Econic Skip Loader vehicle on its indoor stand, 5D10 and its Econic 8×4 Tipper in the outside display area.
The three main focuses of CLOCS are improving vehicle safety, addressing the imbalance between the way on-site and on-road safety are treated and encouraging wider adoption of best practice across the industry through adoption of common national standards.
As part of their commitment to the Standard, the 17,600 vehicles used by CLOCS operators and clients will require retrofit safety equipment, including sideguards, mirrors, camera and sensor systems and left-turn audible alarms.
CLOCS is also looking to reduce blind spots entirely, meaning that drivers have less reliance on their mirrors and camera systems. To achieve this CLOCS is looking to develop vehicles which increased direct driver vision, through larger or more windows and lower cabs.
Towergate Insurance CLOCS Champion, Jo Grosvenor, said: “But it only takes one vehicle to cause a death. Our aim at the show today is to demonstrate to those operators who aren’t already on board, how many options are out there for them to easily ensure their fleets are as safe as possible. With so many organisations already involved, it is only a matter of time before failing to comply will start to impact productivity.”