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New investment in road safety for freight transport
18
March
2019
The Colruyt Group’s 800 trucks travel through the entire country every day. They do so in the safest possible way. We have for a long time been investing in measures that need to protect these vulnerable road users, such as preventative and awareness-raising measures, even among our own drivers. Because if we want to be smarter drivers, we will all contribute to safer transport.
New stickers provide warning about blind spots
Our trucks are already equipped with a blind spot camera. And now they will also be given new stickers that remind cyclists and pedestrians of the dangers of blind spots. Stickers are gradually being applied to our semi-trailers with the striking message. They are also fitted with refurbished underrun protection so that cyclists cannot go under the trucks. By 2020, 70% of our trucks will have to be fitted with the new signs.
Safety begins at home
Our drivers go along to schools to make students aware of the dangers on the road. Students can experience first hand what a blind spot is at the wheel of a truck. "I note that the danger is often still underestimated", says Luc Devillé, a Colruyt Group truck driver who teaches in schools. "These lessons have a positive impact on children. But they need to be repeated regularly. Safety begins at home."
A charming charter
"All drivers must sign a courtesy charter and we regularly take training courses in order to guarantee safety", says Luc. That charter dates from 1998 and applies to all employees who drive a truck or van. They therefore give a commitment to providing safer and more courteous transport. "I'm well aware that I drive around with a business card that’s 18 metres long. I don’t want people to think badly of our company", is the driver’s reasoning.
Read more about our courtesy charterLimiting kilometres
A truck running half-empty creates unnecessary traffic. Therefore our trucks always drive at least 95% full and there is heavy investment in intelligent software for transport planning. Our truck drivers follow routes where they try as much as possible to avoid peak hours and congestion. If not, the trucks will make the congestion worse and we are trying to avoid extra pressure on the roads. It is not just more (cost) efficient, it will also benefit road safety.
Read more about our smart mobility
With this initiative, we contribute to the following Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations.
