The Automotive Blog

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Crash Camera

aide automotive are now an official distributor of the Smart Witness Camera product range.

In a recent press release the effectiveness of a camera is explained below.

When two cars collided in a city centre resulting in a £5,000 insurance claim being easily settled.

A silver Skoda Fabia drives straight into a Volkswagen Tiguan – shunting it 90 degrees to the side at a junction in Glasgow.

Police arrived at the accident scene and when told about the SmartWitness in-car camera requested that a copy of the video recording be produced as evidence.

When they saw the vehicle CCTV they used it as evidence to prove the Skoda driver was at-fault.

The Skoda driver, a Russian national who was fully insured, was subsequently prosecuted for driving without due care and attention.

John Brown, a former IT business analyst, was thankful he had invested in the On Board Camera – and had irrefutable proof of who was to blame.

He said: “Obviously I knew that I had done nothing wrong but it was good to view the footage later and see that I had been driving responsibly, within the speed limit and could be seen clearly going through a green light.”

“The other driver hit me at between 20mph and 25mph miles an hour. It was a quite a big impact because my VW was shunted around by 90-degrees.”

The damage to John’s car was extensive and cost an estimated £5,000 to repair.

The wheel arch, sill and a rear door were badly damaged and one of the tyres needed to be replaced.

There was further damage to the rear suspension and tracking, taking the car was off the road for four weeks.

He said: “I was driving up Hope Street in central Glasgow, one of the main routes through the city centre. I went through a green light where Hope Street meets Cowcaddens Road (a T-junction) when the Skoda came from nowhere and crashed straight into me.

“Thankfully the other driver was co-operative and admitted at the scene that he had been at fault.

“A taxi driver following the Skoda saw what had happened and agreed to be a witness.

“Nevertheless, the police were called and when I told them I had a Incident Camera they immediately requested a copy of the footage so that it could be added as evidence to the charges they would be bringing against the other driver.

“A few days later, when they reviewed the footage they said it was clearly proof of careless driving.”

Brown said that he was relieved he had invested in the SmartWitness camera.

He said: “The footage caught on the camera was excellent. The images were clear and showed exactly who was to blame.”

“It gives you real peace of mind as a motorist to know it is there and if there is an accident you will have clear proof of exactly what happened.”

“Ironically, accident cameras are very popular in Russia where the other driver was from. I can see them becoming increasingly popular here, too, after my experience.”

Crash cameras have been used by hauliers and fleet managers to cut insurance premiums and guard against bogus insurance claims.

Tristar Worldwide, a chauffeuring company based in Middlesex, saved £60,000 a year on its insurance after fitting SmartWitness cameras in its 460-strong fleet.

Matthew Burke commented “admitting liability isn’t usually a common aspect at a road collision, but that doesn’t matter when you have a camera.”

“Motorists will often try to blame the other driver even when they are at fault, and if there are no witness to the accident you never end up with a satisfactory solution.

“It’s why more motorists are investing in vehicle cameras – it removes all the worry and doubt in the event of an accident.

“Insurance is so expensive and even minor claims can add thousands to motorists’ premiums.”

 

In Cab Driver Recorder

Trailer Pallet Truck

Lee Lock Secures A Load As VOSA makes load security a top issue! Load security is one of the top issues when Paul Walker, VOSA’s Industry Liaison Manager, talks to Operators and Drivers across the country.

Paul says: ”During my meetings with the road haulage sector I am often asked about load safety. I always underline the importance of the driver walk around check to ensure that the load is safe and secure. If there are any doubts, you should not drive the vehicle until you are satisfied that it is safe.” “We want hauliers to go safely about their business without interruption. But if you are stopped by VOSA enforcement officers and there are concerns about load security then we will take robust action.” “Unsafe loads are a risk to all road users, so I would strongly urge operators and drivers to make time for the driver walk around check.” Make sure your load is safe All drivers of goods carrying commercial vehicles have a legal responsibility to ensure the load is secure to the vehicle. As part of the driver daily walk round check the load security should be checked as a matter of course. Even when a driver collects a pre-loaded vehicle they are responsible for making sure the load is secure. Ask yourself if: · the load can slide or topple forward or back? · the load can slide or topple off the side? · the load is unstable? · the load securing equipment is in good condition? · there is anything loose that might fall off the load or vehicle? · the load security or stability presents an immediate risk of injury? If the answer to any of these questions is yes or you have any doubt, then reconsider the securing of the load to the vehicle. These are the type of questions VOSA enforcement officers will ask themselves when assessing the load security of your vehicle. So for those that carry a Pallet Truck the need to secure it professionally has never been more prevalent.

Pallet Truck Lock Lee Lock is designed to lock the pallet truck in place at all times, hence reducing any chance of the truck slamming into other pallets, slashing the curtain side and as the pallet truck slots into the lock there’s no chance of moving or falling from a trailer.

aide automotive have seen more an more companies review the Lock in the last few months, with the ideal time to fit the lock at a trailer build many companies use a body builder to add the Pallet Truck Lock to a trailer or rigid truck. You can read more by clicking on Pallet Truck Lock.

Lee Lock secures Pallets whilst in transit

JM Carpentry in Nottinghamshire installed Dash Cams to all vans following a trial by the owner.

Dash Cams provides invaluable evidence when defending staged accidents or incidents involving third parties and significantly reduces the amount of management time required in investigating such events.

Mr Morris sated “We looked at options of reducing costs and vehicles were sounded out as being a sector we could save money, We decided to trial a incident camera to see if vehicle damage could be reduced. We found that vehicle damage by our drivers may well be reduced as well as third party claims, these issues can be concluded quickly for blame. Also as the business owner I kept hearing about corporate manslaughter, with this concerning me I believe Dash Cams integrated correctly can help owners like myself to conform. Thanks to aide automotive for advise, support and service!”

On Board recording cameras are becoming an essential tool in vehicle incident evidence for vehicle operating companies.

Ideal for all applications such as Truck & Bus/Coach operators, Law Enforcement, Hauliers, Taxi, Private Cars and much more.

To review how a Dash Cam can help your truck, Coach or Van fleet, contact aide automotive by clicking on “Dash Cam.”

How to Use A Decelerometer For Trailer Brake Tests

Trailer maintenance requires to be as professional as truck maintenance, Carrying out a inspection brake test on trailer doe not mean an expensive Roller Brake Test.

Research has concluded that using a product like BrakeCheck to test trailers brakes is beneficial but will not indicate a below par efficiency on a particular wheel or brake, although using an Infra Red Thermometer as well will increase your awareness of a faulty brake or a low efficiency brake.

VOSA’s Mark Pattison has stated “A decelerometer is not the ideal method to test the braking of a vehicle and trailer combination. However it is of some use. You are correct that the checking of individual wheels would not show up in a test result. The way to use a decelerometer is to first test the drawing vehicle on its own. Then connect the trailer and the deceleration rate should be similar i.e. the trailer is doing its fair share of work. This is not an exact science but would be enough to give you confidence the trailer brakes were working.”

This system is ideal for commercial operations to improve maintenance records for trailers and increase awareness of a trailers brake performance between the annual roller brake tests. Offering a print out of the combination tractor and trailer performance with brake temperatures will improve quality procedures and health & safety paper work. It is often said in today’s age paper work to protect directors and managers from the corporate manslaughter or health and safety law is essential.
aide automotive have designed an inspection sheet for trailers using the BrakeCheck and thermometer, if you require a copy email info@aideautomotive.com with subject heading Trailer Inspection Sheet.

aide automotive also recommend to test the pressure on brake chambers, this will increase your past rate for trailer parking brakes.

To discuss trailer brake testing further call aide automotive on 0115 8456471.

aide automotive have a Incident Camera in their product range.

On Board recording cameras are becoming an essential tool in vehicle incident evidence for vehicle operating companies.

Ideal for all applications such as Law Enforcement, Hauliers, Taxi, Private Cars and much more.

The Black Vue is easily installed in less than a few minutes in any vehicle. The Camera bracket with sticky pad can be adjusted to suit any window.

With more and more Duty Of Care and Safety requirements being put on business in today’s world a Truck Incident Camera can have a positive effect on a safety record and possibly more importantly keeping vehicles on the road.

Matthew Burke Said “with more an more incdents on the UK roads we beleive this product is an ideal way of keeping a fleet of vehicles on the road rather than off it. No these camera’s do not stop vehicle incidents but make drivers more aware of how they are driving. But from an insurers point of view the incident can be seen to see who is as fault.”

If you would like a to know more contact us by clicking on aide automotive ltd or phone 0115 8456471.

Incident Camera for Trucks & Vans