1. Our strongest commitment Volvo Trucks on traffic safety Lennart Pilskog Director Public Affairs

2. Learning from accidents. Since 1969
We investigate
Accident Research Team on standby
Unique knowledge gathered
Active international cooperation
WE INVESTIGATE – ACCIDENTS ON SITE
Accident Research Team on standby
The starting point for Volvo Trucks’ safety work is always real life.
Through our own accident research team, which was founded back in 1969, we have built up a unique and comprehensive database of how accidents involving trucks take place.
The team stands prepared around the clock to go to accident sites involving Volvo trucks where a driver and/or passenger is injured. All sites within a one hundred kilometre radius of the company’s headquarters in Göteborg are investigated.
If an accident is of particular interest, the team conducts investigations abroad.
Since its formation, the team has processed statistics from nearly 1,500 accidents and compiled them in the form of scientific reports.
…And we actively share our accident research findings with society on an international basis.
Unique knowledge gathered
The unique body of experience which Volvo has gathered in the field is used in the development of every new product.
Many of the safety systems that have been introduced into Volvos over the years have been developed from the knowledge that Volvo’s accident research has gathered from actual traffic accidents. A few examples are the deformable steering wheel and FUPS (Front Underrun Protection System) and ESP (Electronic Stability Program) for trucks.

3. Causes of accidents Any one or a combination of these categories:
Road environment
Driver-related
Vehicle-related
30%
90%
10%
Statistics show that a very high percentage of accidents have driver related causes; exclusively or in combination with other circumstances.
To address the problem of accidents, we must clearly look at the driver.
(Note: The causes can be a COMBINATION, that’s why the figures, if added, end at 130%)

4. Main factors affecting safety
Rest before driving to stay alert
No alcohol in combination with driving
Follow the speed limits
Use the seat belt
Being a big part of the problem, the driver also provides a great part of the solution:
Responsible driving is an important key to safer traffic.
The main factors that affects traffic safety is to rest before driving, not use alcohol (or other drugs) in combination with driving, follow the speed limits and using the seat belt.

5. 1/3 of fatal accidents are alcohol-related
Over 40,000 people are killed in the EU annually.
That’s like a major air crash
every day!
Every third or fourth fatal accident
can be linked to alcohol consumption.
At least 10,000 people are killed in alcohol-related road accidents.
Trucks are not over-represented, but accidents involving trucks are often severe
In Sweden statistics show that about 1/3 of fatal accidents are alcohol-related. It would be reasonable to assume that about the same statistical relation is true for the EU as a whole. Trucks are not over-represented in these statistics, but the consequences of a truck accident are often very severe.
Approximately one accident in four can be linked to alcohol consumption, and at least 10,000 people are killed in alcohol-related road accidents in the EU each year.
In the EU, over 40,000 people are killed in road traffic accidents annually. This is equivalent to a major air crash each and every day!
EU objectives are, as previously said, to cut down traffic casualties by half before 2010.
With the knowledge that 1/3 of fatal accidents is caused by alcohol, we must look at what different measurements can be taken…

6. Volvo Alcolock A tool against road fatalities
This presentation shows how Volvo Alcolock can become a tool for restricting the number of fatal traffic accidents.

7. Volvo has accepted the challenge
2002: Alcohol interlock available as an accessory
2005: Factory-fitted interlock
2006: Alcohol testers on ferries
2007: Third generation introduced
2008: Commercial introduction in several countries
2010:
Continued ETSC safe & sober campaign
From day one Volvo was concerned with traffic safety. So it’s not surprising that we very early appreciated the importance of alcolock for increased traffic safety.
Volvo accepted the challenge, and has fought a manyfronted upphill battle to promote the use of alcolocks. Developing technology, bringing products to the market, as well as informing and influencing the public opinion.
Volvo was the first truck manufacturer to offer an alcohol interlock; first as an accessory and later as production-mounted equipment.
In 2006 Volvo sponsored the installation of alcohol testers on ferries to Sweden.
In 2007 the third generation was introduced.
In 2008 Volvo Alcolock is commercially introduced in many countries and Volvo drives a pan-European campaign called Safe & Sober to promote action against drinking and driving.

8. Volvo Alcolock A breath alcohol tester (BrAC)
Integrated into the vehicle’s systems
Prevents an intoxicated person from driving
The vehicle can only be started after an approved alcotest result
Electro-chemical, fuel cell
Alcohol-specific and very accurate
Factory default setting 0,2 per mille
The factory fitted alcolock is ADR-adapted
Breath alcohol testing is based on the assumption that breath alcohol content (BrAC) is fairly consistent with blood alcohol concentration (BAC).
An alcohol ignition interlock is a breath alcohol tester that has been integrated into the electrical and control systems of a vehicle.
The purpose of the alcohol interlock is to prevent a driver with a BrAC that exceeds the preset level from starting the vehicle or to prevent a drunk driver from operating the vehicle.
The vehicle can only be started after approved alcohol test.
Volvo Trucks chose electro-chemical sensing (fuel-cell) because it is medium-cost, alcohol-specific, and very accurate. Professional transporters regard alcohol interlocks as a means of ensuring transport quality, and they impose high demands on alcohol interlock equipment. The factory default setting is 0,2 per mille.
The factory fitted Volvo Alcolock is ADR-adapted.

9. How to use the alcohol interlock
The driver must blow for 5 seconds to start the vehicle
No need to test again after shorter stops
No retests while driving
Each test is logged and registered in the device
Programmable for the individual needs of large operations
The Volvo Alcolock is easy to use: just blow for five seconds and start the vehicle. No retest is required unless you stop for more than 30 minutes, like for lunch.
Every time you blow, the test is logged and registered in the device. The memory can be downloaded at the regular service. The information is encrypted and can only be read by the owner.
Larger companies can have the units reprogrammed for their own special needs.

10. Service Calibration every 12 months Service code for override function
Volvo Action Service available
The system is serviced by the Volvo dealer.
It needs to be calibrated every 12 month.
The mechanics don’t use the alcolock to start the vehicle while it’s in the workshop. Instead they access a daily service code that overrides the interlock function.
Any need for emergency service on the road is handled by the Volvo Action Service.

11. Future trends Increased interest, awareness and demand
Testing for other drugs
Harmonised technical standards and legislation
So what are the future trends?
Already now we can see an increased interest, awareness and demand of alcolocks, and we expect this trend to continue.
The testing equipment will be technically improved; they will become more advanced and even simpler to use.
There is also an increasing interest in apparatus that can detect other drugs besides alcohol.
   
And finally we expect to see a harmonisation of technical standards and legislation. This would greatly facilitate further development of these kind of driver support equipment.

12. Results come from joint efforts
Drowsiness – put focus on the issue
Alcohol – change of attitude
Speed – intensify monitoring
Seat belt – 100% usage
REQUESTED FROM OTHERS
I've stressed several times during this presentation the importance of the human factor.
Volvo prioritises four areas, all of which can have a substantial effect on further improving safety:
Alertness, Alcohol, Speed and Seat belt use. It is here the true potential for improved safety
is found.
To succeed in our efforts, we also need commitment from other actors.
Because these are issues that involve all players who are associated with the transport sector.
Volvo considers these activities to be the most important within each area:
Drowsiness:
Broad recognition of the seriousness of this issue.
Increased focus on driver lifestyle and working hours.
Alcohol:
Encouragement of alco-lock usage.
Harmonisation of legislation.
Adopting a non-tolerance attitude.
Speed:
Intensified speed monitoring.
Seat belt:
Fact: In Sweden 90-95% of car and truck occupants use a seat belt, but 40% of traffic fatalities
do not. These figures speak for themselves!

13. Thank you