The cause of the collision has yet to be revealed. At this time, officers are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident but it is yet another example of a two wheeled road user being killed. Be it a moped, scooter or bike these users are among the most vulnerable and easily ‘missed from view’ when looking in side and rear-view mirrors.
Blind Spots Can be Dangerous
Nowadays there is a huge population of cyclists in the UK, be it for sport, leisure or their daily commute. The rise in its popularity stems from recent UK success in Olympic cycling and the Tour de France. This means more and more vulnerable road users are battling it out with commercial traffic for space on the roads.
Lorry blind spots are a major cause of collisions leading to pedestrian and cyclist fatalities on London’s roads. While they only make up 4% of the traffic, 23% of pedestrian and 50% of cyclist accidents happen at or within 20 meters of a junction. Drivers are often unable to see clearly what is around them, particularly pedestrians and cyclists.
What are Blind Spots?
Blind Spots are areas out of the drivers view. The main blind spots are between what a driver sees when looking forward and what the driver can see in their mirror. The vehicle’s body work can also obstruct a drivers view. In larger vehicles and HGVs, the blind spot is much more of an issue because of the size and shape of the body.
When an HGV turns, the front and side blind spots prevent the driver from seeing a cyclist to its front and side. This is particularly dangerous as the lorry may manoeuvre left unable to see people undertaking or in its path. While side-under run guards and extra mirrors can help – they’re not enough. Drivers are still unable to get a complete overview of the road thus increasing risks especially when failing to check mirrors.
How Can ACSS Safety Solutions Help?
Upgrading the technology in large vehicles can do a lot to eliminate blind spots and grey areas around the vehicle. While extra mirrors have their place, 360-degree vision systems can be far more beneficial to all road users. Manoeuvre warnings, such as left-hand turn or reversing alarms can indicate to individuals that you intend to move. Finally, proximity sensors can give you a secure warning that other road users are in your vicinity, even when you can’t see them.
At ACSS we’re committed to the safety of vulnerable road users. Our AdvancedSafety solutions are important in maintaining safety and reducing road collisions. If you’d like to learn more about our safety products then check out our AdvancedSafety Solutions here.