Biglorryblog: Safety a priority at W H Bowker

As part of the Companies continuing focus on improving road safety for vulnerable road users, the latest Volvo FM rigids to join the 120 strong Volvo fleet of Lancashire-based, International and UK logistics specialist W H Bowker are equipped with additional, lowered nearside windows.

Describing the reasons for investing in this additional aid to road safety, W H Bowker’s Director Bill Bowker explained that the drivers’ direct vision on the near side of the new FM rigids, “has been further improved by the addition of a lower window in the passenger door which, together with the redesigned mirror housings on this latest generation of FMs, helps reduce nearside blind spots.”

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“Volvo’s reputation for producing a safe vehicle continues to be paramount in our decision to operate a single make fleet. Our drivers take part in training to help their awareness of vulnerable road users, particularly when delivering to, or transiting the urban environment. We are supporters of the CLOCS standard and the Company is FORS Silver accredited. Our support for CLOCS and FORS reinforces our company-wide, integrated approach to safety,” added Bill Bowker.

The twelve, Globetrotter-cabbed, FM-330 6×2 rigids are part of an order for twenty-five trucks that also includes thirteen FH-500 tractor units. The latter are equipped as standard with AEBS, Forward Collision Warning and Lane Keeping System (LKS) as part of the General Safety Regulations that were introduced in 2015.

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Bill Bowker praises the additional, potentially life-saving features of the Volvo AEBS set-up on the Company’s FH-500 tractor units: “The General Safety Regulations means AEBS/LKS is now standard fitment on the FH-500 tractor units. However, the Volvo system is specified over and above the legislated standard as it includes a radar function and a head up warning display for the driver that not all other manufacturers can offer. In my opinion, this manifests and supports Volvo’s position as the manufacturer whose core values revolve around safety, for drivers and other road users, including cyclists and pedestrians.”

“We have worked in close partnership with Volvo for forty four years. We began operating Volvo vehicles in 1972 and have been intimately involved in the development of many product innovations since then. We took the decision to go with a Volvo, single make fleet policy in 1978. We based that decision on the fact that Volvo is the best, the safest, had the best back-up and the best resale values. We made that choice and have grown with it.”

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