Truck drivers and the goods they transport live dangerously on Europe’s roads. This is shown in several recent surveys. Every year approximately 200,000 commercial vehicles are stolen, at a value of more than 7 billion Euros. This is revealed by a survey carried out in 2007 on behalf of the European Parliament. At the same time, a survey by the IRU (International Road Transport Union) reveals that one out of every six truck drivers has been subjected to some form of attack in the past five years. One-third of them had been attacked more than once. In most of the attacks, about 60 percent, the main motive was the vehicle and its cargo, while 40 percent were directed at the drivers and their personal belongings. Just over 40 percent of attacks took place at parking sites intended for trucks.
“These attacks constitute a serious threat against the safety and security that commercial vehicle drivers have the right to expect in the course of their work. They are also a threat to the haulage firms and the immense financial value for which they are responsible to their customers when transporting their goods. Ultimately even end-customers may suffer as a result of the delays that arise when goods disappear,” says Per-Anders Grösfjeld, who is marketing manager for transport information systems at Volvo Trucks.
In order to make the working day safer for commercial vehicle drivers and to protect truck cargoes from theft, Volvo Trucks and Securitas have launched a joint venture. Together they are offering a security concept based on Dynafleet, Volvo’s already existing transport information system. Volvo Trucks is behind the development of the technology while Securitas is responsible for actual operation of the system.
The new security concept, Security Service, is being introduced this spring. In the event of an emergency situation, the driver can press an alarm button inside his truck cab. A signal goes to the Securitas call centre, which in turn contacts the haulage firm or the local police. The driver can also directly contact the call centre via his mobile phone.
“We already have operations with a similar traffic safety concept in a number of countries and we have seen immensely positively results,” says Lucien Meeus, President of Securitas Alert Services business area.
“The need for this kind of services is growing and we aim to offer even better protection against thefts in the future. We are now developing systems that are able to remotely shut down a stolen truck’s engine or locking the trailer to the tractor. These services combined make it more difficult to steal the tractor, the trailer or the whole combination,” says Per Adamsson, Director soft products at Product Strategy and Planning at Volvo Trucks.
For further information, please contact:Marie Vassiliadis, Media Relations Europe, Volvo Trucks, phone +46 31 322 41 27, e-mail marie.vassiliadis@volvo.com
Gisela Lindstrand, Senior Vice President Corporate Communications and Public Affairs, Securitas AB, phone +46 70 287 8662, e-mail gisela.lindstrand@securitas.com
Volvo Trucks provides complete transport solutions for professional and business-driven customers. The company offers a full range of medium to heavy duty trucks, with a strong global network of 3,000 service points in more than 130 countries. In 2007 Volvo Trucks sold more than 100,000 trucks worldwide. Volvo Trucks is a part of the Volvo Group, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of trucks, buses and construction equipment, drive systems for marine and industrial applications, aerospace components and services. The Group also provides solutions for financing and service.
Securitas is a knowledge leader in security. By focusing on providing security solutions to fit each customer's needs, Securitas has achieved sustainable growth and profitability in more than 30 countries in North America, South America, Europe and Asia. Everywhere from small stores to airports, our 250,000 employees are making a difference.
Volvo Trucks and Securitas protect goods transport against attack
Attacks against truck drivers and their cargoes cost haulage firms in the EU several billion Euros every year. Volvo Trucks and Securitas are now launching a new security system aimed at lowering the risk of theft, hijacking and other threats.
Published
11 June 2008 16:20
