Incident alert
ACTIVITY:
TRANSPORT / DELIVERY
TITLE
Cyclist Seriously Injured in accident with Cement Tanker
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN
United Kingdom
ACCIDENT / INCIDENT DETAILS
14.03.2008
UK Safety Alert
Cyclist Seriously Injured
Details of Incident
A cyclist has suffered serious head injuries following an incident involving a sub-contractor vehicle that was working on
behalf of CEMEX. The vehicle was turning right into a company site in the early hours of the morning, crossing the
oncoming carriageway. It was dark at the time and, on turning, the driver felt an impact to the front of the vehicle.
When he got out of the truck, he realised that he had hit a cyclist. The cyclist was wearing a safety helmet, but not any
hi-viz clothing, and the exact position of the cyclist prior to the accident is still not clear.
ACCIDENT / INCIDENT IMAGES
LEARNING POINTS / ACTIONS TAKEN
Learning Points
For drivers of vehicles:-
Driving conditions are remarkably different at night, vision is reduced and it can be more difficult to see
vulnerable road users such as pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists
Cyclists are difficult to spot, as their lights are not as powerful as cars
It is illegal to drive at night without fully functioning front and rear lights. Ensure they are functional and clean.
You should use your lights in the following conditions:-
o At dawn o In bad weather
o At dusk o In dull conditions
o And at night!
The drop in visibility at night can lead to things just appearing in view. As a driver you should be prepared for
the unexpected. Drive at a speed that allows you to spot hazards and react accordingly
For pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists:-
Be seen in the dark – make sure you are wearing highly visible clothing
Make sure you have been seen before putting yourself at risk
On a bicycle/motorcycle, ensure that bright lights are fitted, switched on, clean and functional
Cyclists should wear a protective helmet
When turning left, a lorry will often pull out to the right first. This creates a wide gap on the left between the
vehicle and the kerb. Be careful, the driver may not always see you
Do not assume a vehicle is going straight ahead just because it is not signalling
LEARNING POINTS / ACTIONS IMAGES
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