News

Improving blind spot awareness

The Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) is urging businesses to educate their fleet managers and drivers about the risks of failing to check blind spots before carrying out a manoeuvre.
Figures published by the Department for Transport show that during 2012, a total of 866 vulnerable road users were killed on the UK’s roads, while a further 13,781 were seriously injured.
IOSH senior policy and technical adviser, Phil Bates said: “It’s vital that companies ensure their workers are fully aware of their responsibilities to act in a safe and shrewd manner every time they get behind the wheel.
“This means grasping the importance of blind spots, as 75 per cent of collisions reported in Britain each year take place at or near junctions, where motorists may have had their vision obscured.”
In order for fleets to lower such risks for their drivers, various technologies are now available. They include CCTVs to give drivers a 360-degree view around their vehicle; wide angle and blind spot mirrors; automatic side mirrors that move to cover blind spots when turning; and rear, front and side sensors to detect obstacles.