Truck Safety Firm Wins Legal Action to Prevent Imitations

Dawes Highway Safety, which has fitted its PeoplePanels® to more than 5,000 HGVs across the UK, has warned fleets to be on their guard against businesses selling similar products that infringe the company’s intellectual property and copyright.

PeoplePanels®, flat panels designed to fit over existing side guards to prevent vulnerable road users such as motorcyclists, cyclists and pedestrians from being crushed under the wheels of vehicles, are available for use on a wide range of commercial units ranging from 3.5-tonne units to four-wheel tippers and articulated lorries with trailers.

However, Dawes Highway Safety has already successfully taken legal action against eight organisations – settling out of court for “substantial damages” of more than £10,000 in each case – that have fitted replica panels to vehicles.

The technology, which is accredited by both the Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme (FORS) and Construction Logistics and Community Safety (CLOCS), has already been adopted by safety-focused fleets that include Tarmac as well as Martin Browers, Keltbray, Mick George and Travis Perkins. PeoplePanels® are also supplied to the industry via almost all major bodybuilders.

Tarmac has to date fitted around 300 HGVs with PeoplePanels® and has committed to fitting all new tippers and mixers with this lifesaving equipment.