Cemex UK has started a new campaign focusing on the safety of pedestrians around HGVs, which follows in the footsteps of the firm’s established cycling safety initiatives.
The building materials firm will engage with pedestrians and highlight the potential danger zones around lorries and the part individuals can play to stay safe.
“This is an exciting and important step for us, in helping to ensure the safety of another group of vulnerable road users,” said director of logistics David Hart.
He added that in 2016, one-quarter of fatalities on UK roads were pedestrians, while in London this percentage reached 53% where 6.5 million journeys are walked every day.
“Obviously, the vast majority of these fatalities did not involve an HGV, but pedestrians should be aware of the possible dangers around large vehicles,” said Hart.
Cemex UK will be using special liveried trucks that feature safety messages, such as “Look out before you step out”.
The company will place its first truck in London this month, with a second being prepared for Manchester and more designs and locations to follow.
“Incidents often happen in slow moving traffic in towns and cities. Hopefully, pedestrians will see the message and “Look out before they step out ,” said Hart.
Cemex UK will continue its programme of road safety talks in schools and will be looking to disseminate its safety messages to other pedestrians groups such as the elderly, who it said are are particularly vulnerable.
The company ordered 47 new urban Volvo FM trucks for use in London last year, as well as a pair of new Mercedes-Benz Econic tippers, in a safety boost give drivers better visibility of vulnerable road users.
