Cemex UK has opted for low-height passenger door windows, dubbed ‘Vision’ doors, on six of its 15 new DAF tippers to provide its drivers with enhanced visibility of cyclists and other vulnerable road-users.

The Vision doors, designed by Cheshire-based Astra Vehicle Technologies, allow for a retractable main window, which means that drivers have direct access to the nearside rear-view mirrors.

The latest of London’s Metropolitan Police’s ‘Exchanging Places’ events at Canary Wharf showcased one of the first DAF tipper deliveries, allowing cyclists in London to see first-hand the difficulties commercial vehicle drivers face in an urban environment.

Cemex, a FORS Gold member, specified DAF’s ‘Haulage’ 8x4 chassis to provide a lower cab height – some six inches lower than DAF’s off-road ‘Construction’ model – to further promote greater all-round visibility for the driver.

While not mandated by current legislation, further active safety features specified by Cemex include DAF Advanced Emergency Braking System, Lane Departure Warning and Vehicle Stability Control.

Additional safety devices include side under-run bars, near-side caution boards, Side Scan technology from Brigade Electronics and six-camera VUE system providing all-round monitoring and digital recording of incidents. The new DAF tipper fleet is fitted with Continental tyres featuring ‘ContiPressureCheck’ to gauge excessive heat and loss of pressure. Bodywork comprises Weightlifter PPG bodies, HYVA front-end tipping-gear and Dawbarn Hydroclear sheeting systems.

The new 8x4s will be joined by 40 Euro 6 CF 460 FTP 6x2 tractors for the company’s cement operations out of Rugby – and which are now on programmed delivery. All latest deliveries have come about following a stringent tender process based on wholelife-costs and pitched against all DAF Trucks principal competitors. Trucks were supplied, and will be maintained on a seven-year DAF MultiSupport R&M package, through DAF trucks’ dealership in Leicester, Ford & Slater.

“We enjoy an excellent relationship with DAF and its dealer in Leicester, Ford & Slater,” said Paul Clarke, logistics fleet engineering manager at Cemex, but that doesn’t mean DAF is an automatic choice when we look at new vehicle acquisitions.

“For new fleet purchases, we go to the market with a formal tender process after which we scrutinise whol life costs – and that extends to seven years. Invariably, DAF Trucks comes up with the goods and the DAF UK network provides an excellent fit for our own country-wide locations.

Clarke added: “We’re passionate about passive and active safety – for our drivers and other road-users. We link-up frequently with the Met Police and the recent Exchanging Places event provides everybody concerned with road and safety cycle with an opportunity to engage. We’re one of the original CLOCS Champions and we’re FORS gold members, too – so we know what it is to consider cyclists and other vulnerable road users ensuring that we can all share the road space safely.”