1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186 
Turnsafe
Page 59
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
Nearside accidents are on the increase so ways to improve nearside rear vision are a hot transport topic. Anything other than a standard flat mirror glass might be illegal in the USA, but in Europe there are a number of blind-spot reducers on the market.
One of the most innovative attempts to solve this injurious and expensive problem is TurnSafe. It's a simple concept which has taken seven years of development and research by engineer Jason Perks with a lot of driver feedback.
He became aware of the problem with nearside trailer views when working as a motorsport electronics engineer. Perks trained as a spare LGV driver for one of the Porsche team transporters and gained first-hand knowledge of how hard it can be to see the side of the trailer. After developing a series of prototypes he recently set up AVR Automotive to market his new invention.
In operation the automatic TurnSaf a 'intelligent rear-view system' fits within the existing mirror housing incorporating AVR's own cartridge and software. The makers say that it can be installed in an hour. The right software for the make of vehicle is downloaded directly from AVR's London office via a simple modem.
A tiny rear-facing Kodak image sensor set under the vertical mirror constantly lines itself up with the trailer, in all light conditions and with all body types. As the driver turns the mirror then moves automatically to supply the optimum nearside view.
TurnSafe has been extensively trialled on the Arla dairy distribution fleet with very positive feedback from more than 100 drivers. Waitrose, Sainsbury and Hoyer are looking at the system and AVR has been invited to Scania's Swedish HO to demonstrate its worth.
The British-built, BSI-approved design also works on drawbar rigs; it suits most of the LHD drive trucks operating in the UK. Individual units cost £700, but fleet operators can negotiate discounts.
Using evidence of a reduction in accidents involving vehicles fitted with the device might allow users to negotiate lower insurance premiums.
CMtook a brief test drive in a Daf 95 equipped with TurnSafe around a busy series of Essex roundabouts and immediately established that the mirror moves quickly and smoothly to substantially improve nearside vision, especially on roundabouts and even in tunnels.
• Contact: www.turnsafe.comk 0207 749 7271