Volvo Trucks and Securitas protect goods transport against attack

Attacks against truck drivers and their cargoes in the EU cost haulage firms several billion Euros every year. To help combat this risk, Volvo Trucks and Securitas are now jointly launching a new security system aimed at lowering the risk of theft, hijacking and other security threats.

“We welcome this important initiative by Volvo and Securitas,” says Roger King, Chief Executive at the Road Haulage Association. “Addressing the growing problem of attacks on goods vehicles in the UK and the rest of Europe is vital if we are to protect drivers and reduce the immense costs imposed on the haulage companies.”

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 (£5.6bn), as revealed in a survey carried out in 2007 on behalf of the European Parliament. At the same time, a survey by the International Road Transport Union (IRU) reveals that one in six truck drivers have been subjected to some form of attack in the past five years, with one-third having been attacked more than once. In 60 percent of the attacks, the main motive was the vehicle and its cargo, while 40 percent were directed at the drivers and their personal belongings. In addition, just over 40 percent of attacks took place at special parking places 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.” says Per-Anders Grösfjeld, marketing manager for transport information systems at Volvo Trucks.

Now, in order to make the working day safer for commercial vehicle drivers and to protect their cargo from theft, Volvo Trucks and Securitas have launched a joint security venture called ‘Security Service’ which is based on ‘Dynafleet’ - Volvo’s existing transport information system. Volvo Trucks is behind the development of the technology, while Securitas is responsible for actual operation of the system.

This new security product will be available in production from June this year. It is very simple to activate; in the event of an emergency, the driver simply activates an alarm button inside his cab. A signal then 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 (TBD), 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.

Chris Evans, TIS UK Sales manager for Volvo Trucks adds, “Use of this effective system should provide an opportunity for the transport company to negotiate lower insurance premiums and add value to their business. All telematics should add value in this way."