According to the London Cycling Campaign, lorries are involved in over half of cyclist fatalities in Greater London, despite the fact that they make up only 5 percent of the traffic. Fortunately, UK supermarket chain Sainsbury’s may have an answer. The food giant has recently launched a lorry specifically designed with the safety of cyclists in mind.
The Mercedes-Benz Antos 1824L features new proximity sensors along the sides of the lorry which beep to alert the driver of other road users, in conjunction with low side guards for cyclist safety. There are more downlights, too, to give the driver more visibility of road users in the dark.
But by far the most impressive feature is the 360-degree video technology in the cab, which gives the driver an all-around view of the surrounding road.
A warning sticker and a tail lift operation warning which outputs an audible sound when the tail lift is being lowered, a curved slipstream (and Kamm tail) for improved aerodynamics and a white noise reversing alarm that can be turned off at night are also neat additions.
"It's brilliant that these companies are showing the way that the risk of injury to cyclists and pedestrians can be reduced," said London Cycling Campaign's lorry expert, Charlie Lloyd. "Avoidable risks still remain as current designs put the driver up in the air too far away from people on the street."
The London truck is one of seven currently produced by Mercedes-Benz, with another nine on the way.
Source: Mercedes-Benz Trucks
