Whether refrigerated, articulated, or a tanker, an HGV will always be a big vehicle which can carry a lot of momentum. There is a reason why HGVs require additional testing and licensing to operate.

All the same, training alone will only make an HGV so safe. The Direct Vision Standard in London and equivalents introduced elsewhere in the country represent an understanding that additional safety devices are needed to improve safety for all road users, including the operators of HGVs.

This isn’t just good for road users, but these systems can reduce your insurance premiums and even help to minimise liability in the event of an incident.

So when looking to make your fleet of HGVs safer, what devices should you prioritise?

Collision Prevention Systems

Also known as collision avoidance, warning, or detection systems, collision prevention systems are probably the most important single addition to an HGV. These devices, like the VT Banksman monitor for other road users moving around the vehicle.

We also offer the VT Banksman Auto Braking Radar System which does even more – as the name suggests, it can apply the vehicle’s brakes it its analysis of radar data suggests a collision is likely.

Hazard Cameras

A comprehensive vehicle camera system, like  VT Record,  gives the HGV driver a clear visual sense of what’s happening in areas they wouldn’t normally be able to see. This can highlight potential hazards with time for a driver to avoid them,

Vehicle camera systems have the added benefit of recording  incidents. If there is ever a question of liability, having a visual recording is a powerful tool to prove you are not at fault. These can be supplemented with recordings like the VT Bodycam, showing the driver’s perspective even when out of the cab.

Make sure your cameras are useful 24/7 with the VT Alpha Nightsight range – and remember, this doesn’t just benefit fleets in continuous operation; writing this as the autumn dusk gets longer, we have a daily reminder that vehicles can be operating in darkness even during the 9-5.

Autonomous Emergency Braking Systems (AEB)

We touched on this briefly when we mentioned the advanced Banksman auto braking radar system, but AEB systems are a great way to make your vehicles safer. The VT Brakesafe and VT StopSafe systems are both effective ways to ensure the vehicle stops when necessary.

Clear Indicators for Others

All of the above systems are really designed to improve the safety performance of the HGV itself, but it’s also important to help those around you to stay safe.

Most of our vulnerable road user safety systems are designed to help other drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians stay alert to your presence and intentions. The VT SafeZone and VT Lightboard can give people clear indicators visually, while the VT Warning Alarm and VT Turnalarm provide an audio component. The Turnalarm is even part of our Progressive Safe System, which is DVS compliant.

To ensure your HGV – or HGV fleet – is as safe as it can be, get in touch trough the form below. We’ll be happy to help you sort out your specific requirements.