LONDON – Delegates at the recent Motor Transport’s Fraikin-sponsored roundtable debate in the United Kingdom said that truck manufacturers are not doing enough to ensure the safety of drivers, according to the Web site www.roadtransport.com.

Ian Pizzey, commercial manager, network distribution, at the Royal Mail, said that at the very least a NCAP-style safety rating is needed for trucks so that operators can make an informed choice. He said it would have the added benefit of making the truck makers think more about protection for drivers.

John Finn, fleet director at Christian Salvesen, added that seat-belt warning lights were not yet standard fitment in trucks.

However, manufacturers such as Mercedes-Benz say they have spent billions of Euros developing safety systems, including ESP, Telligent Proximity Control, Lane Assist, and Active Body Control. However, most of these products just sit on the shelf, according to www.roadtransport.com.