Spectrum: After the two terrible accidents on Monday, in which two cyclists were simply run over by turning trucks, the ADFC is calling for immediate political action. According to the bicycle club, a mandatory introduction of electronic truck turning assistants is to be implemented, as is a task force for the prevention of bicycle accidents caused by turning trucks. Now Federal Transport Minister Andreas Scheuer is required!
What is not done to protect car and truck drivers: airbags, side airbags, seat belts, sophisticated crumple zones, etc. In terms of legislation, too, politicians leave no stone unturned in order to achieve maximum protection. However, one traffic group is neglected: cyclists. Just looking at some regions of Germany, where cyclists have to share federal roads with car and truck drivers, raises questions. However, a major problem also relates to turning, where cyclists regularly end up on or under the motor vehicle.
Like now on Monday. A 9-year-old girl was simply run over in Munich and a 32-year-old woman in Hamburg. In each case from a turning truck. Terrible accidents that shouldn't happen at all with the latest technology. In a letter to the Federal Ministry of Transport (BMVI) from Minister Andreas Scheuer, the ADFC is now demanding the urgent implementation of a mandatory introduction of electronic truck turning assistants and a task force "Prevention of wheel accidents caused by turning trucks".
ADFC Federal Managing Director Burkhard Stork says: "Trucks turning off are a death trap for cyclists! We have to lament 15 cyclists killed by trucks in the first months of the year - eleven of them women and girls! The traffic on our roads is tough for cyclists - so hard that often only high-performance cyclists have a chance to get out of intersections fast enough to avoid being mowed down by trucks. Occasional cyclists, seniors and children often don't make it! Minister Scheuer, make road traffic safe for everyone – act now!”
According to accident research by insurers (UDV), the electronic truck turning assistant could prevent 60% of serious accidents caused by turning trucks. In addition to the mandatory introduction of truck turning assistants, the ADFC also sees truck manufacturers as having an obligation. These would have to quickly develop series-ready driver assistance systems to protect cyclists and pedestrians. The ADFC expects at least 40 deaths this year from turning trucks alone.