MEDIA RELEASE: WA TRANSPORT COMPANY TRIALS THERMAL CAMERA TO REDUCE ANIMAL STRIKES

15 February 2017
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MEDIA Release

  • Local WA Transport Company trials thermal camera to reduce animal strikes.
  • Animal strikes account for 22% of all heavy vehicle accident claims in WA
  • WARTA supports trial and the continuing innovation shown by WA Transport Operators.

A WA family owned Transport Company, Pala Pty Ltd has been conducting a 6 month trial of a thermal camera in one of its trucks in order to reduce animal strikes. The results so far have been positive.

After several major animal strikes in the North West, Pala made the decision to try and do something about it. So after investigation they decided to try the use of the thermal camera.

Animal strikes are not only damaging to the vehicles they are distressing to drivers, said Barry Cochrane Director of Pala pty ltd.

“As everyone who has driven WA country roads knows, animals are very difficult to spot and often jump out in front of your vehicle leaving you no time to react.”

The thermal camera means that our drivers can see animals even when hidden on the side of the road, regardless of whether its day or night for up to 500 metres ahead of the vehicle. This gives our drivers time to begin to take action to either slow down or avoid the animal.” said Barry Cochrane.

Owen Driscoll, Director National Truck Accident Research Centre welcomed the trial and innovation shown by Pala . porthedland2

“Losses involving animal strike continue to contribute to a large proportion of insurance claims involving heavy vehicles. Animal strike, with over 520 incidents in the past six (6) years, represented 22% of all losses involving heavy vehicles in WA.’ said Owen Driscoll NTI’s Director of truck accident research.

‘During this time damage sustained from animal strike accounted for insured losses in excess of $13.3m. This does not include additional downtime and expenses to our customers or the loss of stock where cattle are involved.’ he said.

National Truck Accident Research Centre is an initiative of Australia’s largest dedicated truck insurance company, National Transport Insurance (NTI).

WA’s Road Transport Association, Executive Officer Cam Dumesny mountedcamerasays “The general public often do not appreciate the level of safety investments and innovation that our industry operators undertake generally at their own initiative and cost.”

View the original article at http://www.warta.com.au/media-release-wa-transport-company-trials-thermal-camera-to-reduce-animal-strikes/