Technology helps taxi drivers steer clear of trouble

Just like having the right taxi insurance in place, taxi drivers will find technology has a vital role to play in protecting their vehicle and business.

Safety

Safety is the priority for everyone who earns their living on our roads and advances in technology – both gadgets as well as vehicle design – have greatly reduced the number of commercial vehicle crashes, including lorries, vans and taxis.

Many of us remember when equipment such as airbags and ABS were optional extras on luxury marques but are now standard. There have been huge advances since then with technology now able to help drivers avoid crashes with features such as collision-prevention, automatic braking, lane assistance and brake and tyre monitoring systems.

Safety is also the theme of this year’s Commercial Vehicle Show, with “commercial vehicle operators and manufacturers determined to put safety at the forefront of their operations”.

Organisers found that Department for Transport figures show collision rates of vans and trucks have fallen dramatically over the past decade, including a 27% reduction in the number of light commercial vehicles likely to be involved in a collision per billion miles travelled compared with 10 years ago. During the same period, it found that heavy goods vehicle collision rates have more than halved.

Message

Safety was also at the forefront of accident prevention charity Brake’s recent Road Safety Week. The event in November put the spotlight on safer road travel throughout the UK as van and truck operators focus on how fleet investment can grow their businesses while protecting people. The aim is to get people, vehicles and goods from one place to another, as safely as possible – ideally without incident.

And the theme will continue at the Commercial Vehicle Show 2024 at the NEC in Birmingham from April 23 to 25. Organisers hope it will play a crucial role in helping van and truck operators make the right investment decisions, making safety the number one priority.

Advances

The CV Show last year attracted 12,000 visitors from across Britain with those responsible for buying lorries, trucks and vans able to see some of the world’s latest commercial vehicles equipped with wide-vision cabs and cutting-edge technology to support safe driving.

There were also more than 100 suppliers of vital safety products such as cameras, reversing aids, telematics and braking and tyre-management systems, all of which are designed to maximise safe operations.

Even more operators are expected to attend this year’s show to see the most recent developments. As well as showcasing the latest models and developments, experts will also be on hand to share operational safety advice on driver well-being, attracting and retaining top talent and transitioning fleets from fossil fuels.

Susan Kitchener, executive lead of the CV Show, said: “For commercial vehicle operators, every week must be road safety week – and the CV Show plays a crucial role in supporting that safety focus.

“With the widest range of vehicles, products and advice all under one roof, it’s the most important date in the calendar for suppliers to reach forward-thinking operators that are consolidating their commitment to safe operations.”