New assistant from MAN reduces danger of accidents at junctions

Junctions can prove tricky for truck drivers, especially when turning off towards the nearside. Children are not the only ones to forget how little the driver can often see. If pedestrians or cyclists stop by the side of a truck at a crossroads, they are often hard to see. To reduce the chance of accidents in this sort of situaiton, MAN has developed the so-called Proximity Alert System, which warns drivers about people in their blind spot when turning at junctions.

An extra pair of eyes

Special sensors monitor a radius of around two metres from the driver’s cabin whenever the truck stops at traffic lights or crossroads. The sensors pick up on any pedestrians or cyclists who approach the vehicle while it is stationary. Once they are within a certain distance, the driver is alerted with an optical signal so he or she is already aware of a change in the blind spot before turning. If the driver moves away in spite of this, an acoustic warning signal is emitted.

Award-winning technology

The Proximity Alert System is available as an extra-cost option from next year. The Bavarian branch of the German automobile association, ADAC, awarded MAN its 2007 Mobility Prize for the Proximity Alert System and MAN’s general commitment to improving safety on the roads.

For more information about the MAN Proximity Alert System, go to:
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