Thomas’s Group specifies Spillard’s Human Detection System on all trucks above 12 tonnes

Thomas’s Group is specifying Spillard’s Human Detection System on every truck it purchases above 12 tonnes.

The device, which is located on the truck’s nearside, alerts the driver to humans in the vehicle’s blindspot. It only detects pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists, so eliminates false alarms. An in-cab monitor visualises the distance by measurement and colour codes. If the person is 20m away it shows as green, identifying that the distance is currently safe. It changes to yellow and then red if the person moves into a dangerous position.

It is one of many safety devices fitted as standard to the 300 DAFs it currently purchases each year. Others include a kerb view window, work lamps on the back of the cab, and wheel chocks.

“We’re also talking to Spillards about fitting detectors for the front of the trucks, as they’ll be required for 2024,” said Thomas’s Group MD Jason Horobin, referring to London’s Direct Vision Standard.

He explained that in addition to the importance of being able to provide customers with the safest possible vehicle, ticking plenty of safety options also helps with resale values. The Birmingham-based company keeps its trucks for between 18 months and 2 years, and Horobin wants them to be compliant with “current standards, not the standards of yesterday” when they reach the used market.

Its Road Transport Expo stand featured a new DAF XG (pictured), which in addition to a host of safety devices, had also been equipped with numerous creature comforts. These included a full leather interior, a fridge and microwave. “It’s everything a driver could want in a truck,” said Horobin.

Also on show was a pristine two-year-old previous generation DAF XF, which was being offered for sale with the remained of a three-year manufacturer’s warranty.

If you missed this year’s Road Transport Expo, be sure to watch the short highlights video.