Posted: December 2020
If you’re a HGV driver you will know how treacherous the roads can be during the winter months. Snow, fog, ice and heavy rainfall can all combine to limit visibility and increase the risks of accidents and collisions.
In fact, according to research, poor weather conditions contribute to approximately 22% of road traffic incidents. Drivers of commercial vehicles are particularly vulnerable. HGVs require skill and precision to manoeuvre, while the continuous demands of making deliveries on time only serves to increase the pressure on drivers. Similarly, on work sites it’s rarely possible to down tools when there are projects to complete and orders to fulfil.
Here at Brigade we are helping to protect drivers, other road users and site workers from hazardous weather conditions with our award-winning range of vehicle safety technology. These include camera monitors, radar obstacle detection systems and reversing alarms, which not only eliminate vehicle blind spots, but also aid driver visibility even in the toughest conditions.
However, when weather is poor, visibility from camera monitors can be compromised. For example, large vehicles travelling at speed will create a vortex that draws grit and dirt onto the back of the vehicle. This can very quickly cover any rear view camera lens, making it difficult for drivers to see what is behind them. Likewise, dirty conditions on work sites can create similar issues for operators of heavy machinery.
Our range of shutter cameras is helping to solve this issue. They feature an automatic shutter to protect the camera while it’s not in use. This is only triggered to open when a vehicle enters reverse gear. This means the camera lens remains clean and the life of the camera is prolonged.
Offering superb durability whatever the environmental conditions, the cameras can operate at temperatures as low as -40ºC and have IP ratings of up to IP69K – the highest possible rating to protect against ingress from water or dust. Therefore, even in heavy rain or high wind and the harshest conditions, they remain an excellent driving aid, eliminating blind spots no matter what the weather.
Our shutter camera range also features an integrated heater to prevent water on the lens and the shutter itself from freezing; an instrumental feature in upholding driver safety during frosty months.
For further information about Brigade and our safety products, please get in touch.
