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MirrorCam brings digital imaging to Mercedes-Benz trucks

Since the middle of this year, an increasing number of large Mercedes-Benz trucks in Europe have been seen on the roads without the typical large exterior mirrors. Instead, small streamlined camera arms are mounted on the roof frame. They are a new standard feature called MirrorCam which Mercedes-Benz Trucks has fitted to the new Actros.

At this time, Mercedes-Benz is the only manufacturer in the industry to commercialise the MirrorCam concept. The digital rear-view mirror not only looks futuristic but the system can also do much more than conventional main and wide-angle mirrors and its performance far exceeds the legal requirements.

“After a short familiarisation period, drivers experience the advantages of the MirrorCam in many different situations for themselves. Overtaking, manoeuvring, driving in poor visibility and darkness, cornering and bottleneck situations – the MirrorCam makes all this safer and less stressful,” said Patrick Hirth, a cab development mechanic at Mercedes-Benz Trucks who has already driven more than 200,000 kms with the new MirrorCam.

Two cameras, two screens and more
The MirrorCam consists of two cameras mounted on the left and right of the roof frame, two upright monitors mounted on the A-pillars in the driver’s cab and control elements in the door module and in the secondary display. There are also buttons on the passenger side and by the bed to switch on the MirrorCam when the engine is switched off.

The images transmitted by the cameras are transferred to the two 15.2-inch monitors with a resolution of 720 x 1920 pixels. Like the conventional mirror system, the monitor image is divided into a main and wide-angle field of vision. As the MirrorCam cameras are attached to the roof frame and the monitors are located inside the cab, the driver has a much better direct view through the side windows.

The view diagonally ahead, which was previously obstructed by the large exterior mirrors of a conventional mirror system in many situations, is now clear. This is particularly advantageous when approaching junctions and roundabouts, when manoeuvring and in tight bends.

The MirrorCam also assists the driver when reversing and the display then changes to a special manoeuvring view. In particular, reversing around corners is made easier as areas further away from the vehicle are also displayed in the usual size. This view is automatically activated when reverse gear is engaged and is still displayed when driving forwards up to a speed of 10 km/h or until it is deactivated with a button.

Better assessment of traffic behind
The distance lines in the display of the MirrorCam are also useful: they help the driver to better gauge the distance to objects behind the vehicle according to the driving situation. In addition, before moving off, the driver can use the door control panel to position one of the lines to symbolise the end of the vehicle in the display.

To this end, the driver places an object that is well visible, such as a fluorescent jacket, on the ground next to the end of the trailer and aligns the line accordingly. If the system detects a change in the towed unit such as a trailer or semi-trailer, the driver is alerted by a flashing line that the length of the truck may have changed. However, the system only needs to be realigned if this is actually the case. Later on, when overtaking, MirrorCam displays red, orange and yellow markings to show the driver if they can safely move back to the right lane or if a few metres are still needed for the necessary safe distance.

Swivelling camera image for safer cornering
A special highlight of the MirrorCam is demonstrated when cornering with a semitrailer truck. The image on the display on the inside of the corner also swivels, so the driver always has a perfect view of the end of the trailer when cornering. In contrast, with a conventional mirror system, the mirror on the inside of the corner often only shows the side wall of the trailer due to the articulation angle of the semitrailer/tractor combination. Here the driver has a much higher risk of cutting the corner and colliding with an obstacle than when using the MirrorCam – a situation which was captured on video recently when it happened on Malaysian roads.

Works well in rain and darkness
The high mounting position of the camera arms not only ensures excellent visibility, it also gets much less dirty in this position than the lower glass mirror. The water-repellent coating of the camera lenses also means less dirt. Furthermore, the view of the screens is free of reflections and dirt on the side windows of the cab.

At dawn, dusk and at night, the cameras with their powerful light have advantages over a conventional rearview mirror as the system continuously adjusts to the changing light conditions. The same applies to areas with artificial lighting such as a tunnel.

Perfect interaction with Sideguard Assist
MirrorCam and Sideguard Assist work hand-in-hand in the new Actros and the new Arocs. Sideguard Assist is a warning system that helps the driver prevent dangerous accidents during turns (right turns for lefthand drive vehicles). The system gives a visual and an acoustic warning in good time if there is a risk of collision with a stationary or moving object in the warning area on the side of the truck. The driver can then usually brake in time if they have overlooked something on the passenger’s side when turning.

This is particularly important in busy city traffic with lots of cyclists, pedestrians and parked cars. What’s more, Sideguard Assist also functions as a Lane Change Assist for the right side and warns the driver with a yellow or red triangle in the MirrorCam monitor if another road-user is next to the truck in the adjacent lane.

Minimal damage likely
It should also be mentioned that the camera arms of the MirrorCam can be folded in the direction of travel and against the direction of travel. This minimises damage in the event of a collision. Due to the smaller size and the high mounting of the MirrorCam system alone, there is much less risk of it catching on something.

Free Perodua Tweckbot inspection available in Sabah before Christmas

As the company which puts the most motor vehicles on the road each year, Perodua knows it has a responsibility to ensure that its vehicles are in the best possible condition while being used. This is especially important during festive periods like the one that is one now, with Malaysians criss-crossing the country on their way to holiday resorts or doing the ‘balik kampung’ thing.

As part of its ongoing Perodua Road Safety Programme, the Malaysian carmaker started its Tweckbot complimentary vehicle inspection service in 2011. To date, over 8,000 vehicles have been inspected.

Next weekend (December 21/22), the Tweckbot service will be available at the ITCC Mall in Penampang from 10 am to 5 pm to offer free inspections of Perodua vehicles.

The vehicle inspection covers over 50 points including the engine, transmission, cooling system, brakes, power steering, clutch, tyres, suspension and electrics. Owners will be informed if any issue is found and such an alert could help them avoid an accident or inconvenience of a breakdown along their journey.

Owners who send their vehicles for the Tweckbot inspection can get a 20% discount voucher redeemable for the purchase of selected parts and accessories at any authorised Perodua service centre (terms and conditions apply).

“As Christmas and the New Year approach, many will be taking to the roads for vacations and to visit family and friends. Therefore it is crucial that their vehicles are in good working order at this time, more so considering the large travel distances in East Malaysia. The Perodua Tweckbot team will thoroughly check your vehicle and give you a condition report for free. While you wait, our friendly staff will engage you in fun activities designed to increase road safety awareness,” said Perodua’s President & CEO, Dato’ Zainal Abidin Ahmad.

“Perodua Tweckbot aims to promote the importance of regular vehicle checks, servicing them at authorised Perodua outlets and only using genuine Perodua products and parts, all in the name of safety. “Most of all, it represents our commitment to always provide our valued customers with quality service and workmanship for their total peace of mind,” added Dato’ Zainal.

Need to have your Perodua serviced? Visit www.perodua.com.my to locate the nearest authorised service centre as well as find out what offers are available.

PLUS receives Prince Michael International Road Safety Award for road safety initiatives in 2019

PLUS Malaysia Berhad (PLUS) is the first Asian highway company to receive the prestigious Prince Michael International Road Safety Award (PMIRSA) for its road safety initiatives in 2019. The award was presented in London on Tuesday and received from Prince Michael of Kent by PLUS Managing Director, Datuk Azman Ismail.

PLUS is one of the 23 award recipients this year and received the award in recognition of the company’s contribution towards successfully implementing multiple road safety initiatives along its 1,134.1-km highway across the Peninsular Malaysia.

“This award is a strong testimony that PLUS is internationally recognised as a world-class highway that adheres to high levels of safety. It reaffirms us as an organization that places safety above all,” said Datuk Azman.

Integrated road and traffic management system
As Malaysia’s largest highway operator, serving over 1.7 million users daily, the organization has implemented an integrated and innovative road and traffic management system known as the PLUS 3Es encompassing Engineering, Education and Enforcement since the first quarter of 2017. Through its engineering initiatives, it has ensured that 100% of its highways achieved a 3-star iRAP Rating Standard.

Through its educational collaboration with the Malaysian National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, PLUS co-created the Expressway Operations Safety Passport (EOSP) that has increased the safety awareness of highway workers. Upon its implementation, EOSP had contributed to a significant 75% reduction in fatalities involving highway and contract workers on the highways.

The EOSP programme is a first for the Malaysian highway industry, and the EOSP certification is mandatory for all roadside workers on PLUS highways before entering their respective work zones and has been identified for re-application across all tolled highways in Malaysia. The programme receives full support from the Malaysian Highway Authority as well as the Ministry of Works and the Ministry of Transport.

About the Prince Michael International Road Safety Awards
Prince Michael of Kent is a leading advocate of road safety, working to support the UN Decade of Action, an ambitious international programme which has already saved millions of lives promotes and implements good practice. Since 1987, the awards have given public recognition to those who have improved road safety throughout Britain. Now, the awards programme recognizes outstanding achievement and innovation worldwide. Each year, the most outstanding examples of international road safety initiatives are given public recognition by the PMIRSA.

‘Debt-ridden’, ‘not efficient enough’? PLUS responds to statements deemed inaccurate and misleading

MIROS and Lazada Malaysia to work together on Child Restraint System Awareness

The Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (MIROS) and Lazada Malaysia today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to work together to raise awareness on the importance of child restraint systems (CRS) in reducing road fatalities. As part of the initiatives under the MoU, Lazada Malaysia has launched its Car Seat Assurance programme – a curation of CRS products on LazMall – which currently offers over 40 product models from 6 local and international brands.

Prices range from RM100 to RM1,599 and Lazada gives assurance that each childseat bearing the Car Seat Assurance icon are sold by companies which have submitted to Lazada copies of UNR44 or UNR129 certificates (which are strict and comprehensive sets of child carseat safety regulations by the UN) as well as crash test reports. This product documentation has also been submitted to MIROS for further evaluation as part of an ongoing process to ensure that product safety is not compromised.

Compulsory use of child restraint systems, ie childseats, will come into effect from January 1, 2020. All childseats must meet the United Nations’ ECE R44/04 and ECE R129 specifications.

“We are delighted to have Lazada on board to carry out this initiative which will contribute to the government’s objectives to reduce serious road traffic injuries and fatalities. Through the Lazada Car Seat Assurance programme, we hope to educate more parents on the importance of CRS use and choosing the appropriate CRS for their children which meets the requirements detailed in the Guidelines for Child Restraint System in Malaysia,” said Dr. Siti Zaharah Ishak, Director-General of MIROS.

“We also need to change the perception that regulation-compliant childseats are unaffordable and make it easier for Malaysians to purchase childseats from wherever they may be and accessible throughout Malaysia,” Dr. Siti added.

MIROS GUIDELINES — *Visit **www.miros.gov.my** to download a free copy of the MIROS guidelines on childseats.*

During the first 6 months of 2020 when the law is in effect, summonses will not be issued to motorists who do not place their small children in childseats. Enforcement officers will give warnings and advice instead. The firm decision to introduce the law comes from the fact that less than 30% of motorists have been found to provide childseats, while a MIROS study found that 31 out of 53 (58 per cent) children and infants died due to road accidents.

(more…)

Child car seat: No summonses for first six months of 2020

Malaysia’s Transport Minister, Anthony Loke, has announced that there will be no summonses issued for the first six months of 2020 for those who fail to apply the use of child car seats when travelling with children.

REMINDER: Child seats mandatory starting year 2020

The ruling has been directed to the Road Transport Department (JPJ) to ensure that fellow road users have ample time to adapt to the new ruling which will begin in January 2020. Authorities will, however, issue warnings and reminders to install the child car seats for their safety. (more…)

MIROS launches child restraint system guidelines

Yesterday marked the official launch of Vehicle Safety Week 2019 which is currently taking place at the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (MIROS) PC3 crash testing centre in Melaka. To mark this momentous occasion, our very own deputy prime minister, Datuk Seri Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, was also there to unveil the official child restraint system guidelines called ‘Buku Garis Panduan Kerusi Keselamatan Kanak-kanak di Malaysia’. (more…)

BHPetrol holds Cerah Ceria 2019 road safety programme at SK Kementah Kuala Lumpur

BHPetrol, the Malaysian petroleum brand, has been tirelessly working on efforts to raise road safety awareness among primary schoolchildren for some time now. And in 2019, for the tenth consecutive year, BHPetrol has spread the interest and focus of the local community in the centre of Kuala Lumpur.

This year’s awareness programme was held in SK Kementah Kuala Lumpur where over 1,000 students participated in various road safety activities which complements the current road safety education curriculum taught in schools.

Part of BHPetrol’s Corporate Social Responsibility
The programme, which was carried out recently, is part of BHPetrol’s Corporate Social Responsibility and focuses primarily on the importance of being visible on the road. The idea behind the programme originated in 2010, when BHPetrol felt that there was very little awareness on road safety initiatives for young children particularly in the non-urban areas.

Since then, the Cerah Ceria programme has travelled extensively within Peninsular Malaysia to schools in Sabak Bernam, Hulu Langat, Pelabuhan Klang, Muar, Temerloh, and the latest in Kementah Kem Kuala Lumpur. Thousands of primary schoolchildren have benefitted from the programme.

Focus on being visible
The focus on visibility stems from the fact that young children are physically small and not easily visible to drivers, in particular, drivers of huge vehicles such as petroleum tankers. The program stresses the importance of seeing and being seen as well as equipping children with essential road safety skills and knowledge.

Aptly named ‘Cerah Ceria Bersama BHPetrol’, the program uses the firefly as its road safety icon to convey to children and adults signifying that despite its size, it is bright and visible from afar.

Practicing safe behaviour on the road
All 9 activities for children help them to understand the importance of being visible and practicing safe behaviour on the road. Some of the activities include stopping distance of vehicles, 5 steps to cross safely, physical limitations, wearing bright clothing and cycling safely. BHPetrol employees were involved in the activities.

Every year, as part of the programme, a short road safety talk is also given by the local district Traffic Police or by the road safety department. This year, Azharul Izwan Puaadi, the Federal Territory Director of Road Safety Department, addressed the students on the importance of being safe on the roads and following traffic rules.

The event was also attended by Fardzi Shah Razali, General Manager, Operations and HSSE of Boustead Petroleum Marketing Sdn Bhd, and Leftenan Kolonel Azizul bin Abdul Kadir, Kem Kementah Commanding Officer.

“Over the last 10 years, we have continuously inculcated the importance of safety amongst the schoolchildren through Cerah Ceria Bersama BHPetrol programme. We hope the activities organized have increased the students’ understanding to become more cautious towards their safety at all times,“ said Encik Fardzi Shah Razali.

Essential part of the children’s learning
The programme has been warmly received as an essential part of the children’s learning and educational process. The annual programme dedicated to school children has been creating a lasting impression in the minds of young students, parents and teachers.

BHPetrol firmly believes that the programme develops these young minds to be ever more conscientious in practicing safe behaviour on the road which may contribute significantly towards reducing road deaths and injuries among primary schoolchildren.

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The dangers of driving when you are not well or taking medicines

It’s a very serious offence to be driving while under the influence of alcohol (or ‘DUI’ as they refer to it in America). In some countries, it is not just alcohol but the offence includes drugs and even medicines that cause any effect which can make driving unsafe. Generally, motorists only give attention to alcohol and make it a point to consume amounts that do not exceed the limits, or are responsible enough to avoid driving home themselves if they have taken too much.

How medicines can affect driving
Many motorists give less thought to the times when they have taken medicines for an illness and while the effects vary from person to person, there is a risk that some may be affected seriously enough to make their driving dangerous for themselves and other road-users. It depends on how much medicine you are required to take. Factors such as gender, age, weight and dose all play a part in how the medicine affects you.

The effects can affect concentration and usually, the effect is strongest in the beginning of treatment and when the dose is increased. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the doctor to warn you or you should ask about the effects and declare that you will be driving or riding a motorcycle.

The effects of medicines
Some medicines can affect your driving for a short time after you take them. For others, the effects can last for several hours, and even till the next day. Sleepiness or drowsiness may be one of the effects but some people may also feel dizzy, weak, nauseous or even have their reaction time slowed down (which can be dangerous as they may not be able to avoid an accident in time).

For allergy sufferers, medications containing antihistamines can help relieve many different types of allergies. But these medicines may interfere with driving as antihistamines can slow your reaction time, make it hard to focus or think clearly, and may cause mild confusion even if you don’t feel drowsy.

While it is best to go home and rest (and remain on medical leave if allowed), you can also ask a doctor to help minimize the side effects by adjusting your dose, adjust the timing of when you take the medicine, or change the medicine to one that causes fewer side effects for you.

*If you find that you can’t concentrate because you have just taken medicine, it imay be better to pull over rather than continue driving.*

It should be noted that even if you have not taken medicines but are sick, your condition can also put your driving at risk. Depending on the illness, you may be more tired than usual, less able to concentrate or even experience pain in certain parts of your body that could cause you to drive dangerously. If you find that you are extremely affected, you should pull over to the side and park safely, and notify someone who can come and help you get home.

Even sneezing can be dangerous!
One of the most dangerous aspects of driving while sick is sneezing, believe it or not. In fact, there are studies that have shown that sneezes cause over 2,000 accidents in the UK per week! When you sneeze, your eyes usually close, usually for about 600 milliseconds. In that span of time, if you are travelling at about 100 km/h, the car would have moved 17 metres forward – while your eyes were closed! That could result in ramming a vehicle ahead or worse, knocking down a pedestrian.

Accident — *A sneeze or a cough when you are ill could result in a collision.*

The same risk could probably occur when you cough, especially if it is a cough that is ‘strong’ and causes you to momentarily stop having control of other actions. You may also cough a number of times at one go, again affecting your ability to control the car.

Mazda Lane Keep Assist — *The Lane Keep Assist system, available in some of the new models, acts when the car moves out of its lane.*

Some of the new car models today have driver assistance systems which can detect when the car weaves out of its lane. This can indicate that the driver may be losing concentration and not guiding the car properly, perhaps due to being ill or being on medication. Such systems will alert the driver of the situation and also exert forces to turn the vehicle back into its lane. However, these systems are still not standard features like seatbelts so the majority of motorists would not be able to enjoy their safety benefits.

NOTE: This article has been presented in good faith for general information of the public, especially motorists. PISTON.MY accepts no responsibility for any loss or effect arising from following the advice and information given.

REMINDER: Child seats mandatory starting year 2020

The Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) has reminded everyone that by the year 2020, the use of child seats for private cars carrying children will be mandatory and punishable by law if ignored. For all you parents out there, do take note because we’re going into October and that’s just two months away! (more…)

Bosch launches ‘Heels & Wheels’ car and road safety workshop for women

Malaysia’s 62^nd Independence Day is just around the corner and in conjunction with all the celebrations, Bosch Automotive Aftermarket Malaysia (Bosch AA) together with the Ministry of Women, Family, and Community Development organised the ‘Heels & Wheels’ program – a car and road safety workshop for women. (more…)