- PREMIUM SIDE DETECTION - - WEST MIDLANDS - BIRMINGHAM, WORC

With the increase of fuel costs and views on health and fitness, more and more cyclists and pedestrians are sharing the roads with our vehicles. With this and the blind spots down the nearside on larger vehicles, the dangers of accidents causing injury and deaths has increased.

I’m sure that we have all had it where a cyclist will nip up the inside between the curb and the vehicle? If this is not seen by the driver then the cyclist is virtually invisible. If this happens and the vehicle a heavy goods vehicle, which is turning left then there is a serious risk to the life of the cyclist as often the driver is only aware of the cyclist when he pops out in front when the traffic lights change to green.

Cyclists are not the only ones in danger either; pedestrians always seem to be in a hurry and often step up too close to the curb and sometimes onto the road. Many aren't aware that a large vehicle turning the corner can often cut across the curb.

The ifitstuff Premium Side Detection System is based upon premium tried and tested parts from Autowatch who have been a leader in vehicle accessory parts and sensors for many years. We combine these parts with a quality installation service where we install our bespoke product to not only comply with FORS & Crossrail Safety Standards, but also to be an effective and useful tool to aid the drivers of heavy goods vehicles and to help save cyclists lives.

The system is an ultrasonic sensor system specifically designed to be a warning system not only for the driver but also to make the cyclist aware of a turning vehicle.

How does it work?

There are 2 parts to the system:-

1) Internal Warning - To alert the driver if cyclists, pedestrians or other obstacles that are on the nearside of the vehicle.

This premium Side Detection System is active while the vehicle is travelling at low speeds (approx. below 10MPH), we also connect to the vehicle parking brake system so that the driver doesn't get alerts while he is parked with the engine idling (*Subject to vehicle having a suitable electrical connection). There are 3 levels of detection:-

Obstacle 0.8m - Green visual driver alert

Obstacle 0.6m - Amber visual driver alert

Obstacle 0.4m - Red  visual + AUDIBLE driver alert

2) External Warning - To warn pedestrians or cyclists that the vehicle is turning left and that they may be in danger.

This also has a lot of clever logic going on in the hardware and installation to minimise inconvenience and effectiveness. As above the external warning will only work if the vehicle is travelling at low speeds (approx. 10mph) and if the parking brake is off*. However it will only sound once when the left indicator is switched on and then only continue to sound if there is actually something present in the detection zone. There is also an override system so that external warning will not sound if the vehicle has the hazard lights switched on.

Please contact us for more information on this product or to arrange an installation to your vehicles.