Trailer coupling accidents continue to blight the transport industry, with the potential to cause serious injury and even fatalities. The impact to businesses can also be devastating; with estimates suggesting the direct and indirect costs could reach as high as £1million for a single runaway incident.
Perhaps what resonates and exasperates those involved with such accidents the most is that they are entirely avoidable. Runway and crushing incidents, caused by the inadvertent release of trailer brakes are as a direct result of unsafe practices or procedures – rarely are incidents due to inexperience on part of the driver.
The Extent Of The Problem
Having launched the safe coupling device, SafeConnect, Commercial Vehicle Safety & Security specialist Maple have conducted in depth research around the true extent of trailer coupling accidents. The findings have shown just how widespread and deep rooted this issue is.
As many as 2 in 3 drivers claim to have witnessed runaway or near miss incidents and even more disturbingly 80% of these go unreported. Perhaps what was most revealing and concerning from the research was the confirmation that correct coupling procedures were not been satisfactorily employed, with 60% of drivers claiming that best practice coupling was not regularly adhered to. There was also widespread support from drivers to improve safety around coupling, such as improved training and overwhelmingly automatic safety devices that prevent runaway incidents (90% of drivers would welcome such a solution).
These quite startling statistics, coupled with recent high profile fatalities, highlight a need to improve safety whilst raising awareness and understanding of coupling and uncoupling best practice procedures. It’s a fact not lost on key stakeholders within our industry, the HSE have made it one of their top 3 priorities and the FTA have likewise made this one of their ‘Member Priorities.’ The Code of Practice for coupling & uncoupling has also been reviewed and updated by the FTA, which is scheduled for re-launch later this year.
Preventing Trailer Runaway’s
Most incidents occur as a direct result of failure to follow correct coupling / uncoupling procedures and are rarely due to inexperience on part of the driver. After a number of years development, Maple launched SafeConnect, a safe coupling device that ensures trailer brakes cannot physically be released during the coupling procedure. Crucially it ensures that only once the driver is safely back in the cab and in full control of the vehicle can the brakes be released.
SafeConnect has been welcomed by a hugely receptive audience and gained industry wide acclaim, with a number of high profile operators adopting the system and even winning the much coveted Motor Transport Award for Innovation.
A full copy of Maple’s research paper on trailer coupling accidents can be obtained by visiting www.trailersafetyrevolution.com