FE Fleet Equipment Magazine: Smart Lite Aims To Eliminate Front End Blind Spots

In the second week of December, 2014, Marty Vanderhoek, a life long trucker from Langley, B.C., Canada and the inventor of the Smart Lite was interviewed by FE Fleet Equipment Magazine.

The article appears below for your review. 

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Smart Lite aims to eliminate front end blind spots

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by Fleet Equipment Staff - Dec 11, 2014

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Marty Vanderhoek, a life-long commercial trucker from Langley, B.C., Canada, invented Smart Lite to combat one dangerous area on a commercial truck – the front end blind spot. According to Vanderhoek, Smart Lite is a simple system designed to save lives.

All large trucks have side mirrors that a driver uses to view everything beside and behind the truck, Vanderhoek said. Although the driver can see behind or beside his or her truck the driver still cannot always see everything that is forward of the doors on the truck where the side mirrors are mounted. Smart Lite utilizes mirror to mirror technology to eliminate front end blind spots for professional drivers.

Smart Lite is mounted on both sides at the rear and at the top of a drivers truck. This is the place where the trucks reverse or back up lights are typically mounted on semi trailer trucks. Smart Lite is a replacement for the original back up lights that most trucks are equipped with but can also be installed as a new feature on a truck if the trucks reverse lights are mounted somewhere else on the truck. Smart Lite is manufactured with a back up light or turn signal on one side and a convex mirror on the opposite side, according to the company.

“The Smart Lite device is revolutionary in that it allows the operator to see what is occupying the space in that front end blind spot. Before Smart Lite there was no device or system that allowed the operator to make a 100% visual determination of what was beside him and a little ahead of his door. With Smart Lite that problem is now solved,” Vanderhoek said.

The device recently received an endorsement by the Insurance Corp. of British Columbia as a safety feature that greatly improves trucker safety, according to the manufacturer.

Marty Vanderhoek Talks About Smart Lite

About Smart Lite

60% of all truck accidents are directly contributed to the front end blind spot of commercial trucks. In North America alone over 5,000 deaths and 140,000 injuries occur annually. At Smart Lite we believe that those statistics are far too high.

What is Smart Lite? Smart Lite is designed to reduce crashes, to save lives and to reduce injuries. The system was designed by Marty Vanderhoek, a professional commercial truck driver with over 20 years experience in the industry. It is a simple, yet unique design that utilises simple mirror to mirror technology to completely expose the entire front end area of the truck to the driver from inside the cab. As a result. the device offers the driver a clear and unrestricted view of any vehicle, motorcycle, cyclist or pedestrian that could be in the front or blind spots or no zone area of the truck.

No high tech cameras, mirrors or unreliable beeper systems. With Smart Lite the driver instantly sees whatever is in the front and blind spot areas of the truck by a split second glance into the West Coast mirror. For more information on the Smart Lite system please visit our web page or contact us at info@xlite.ca  

About Marty Vanderhoek : Inventor of the Smart Lite 

Marty Vanderhoek is a life long trucker from Langley, B.C., Canada whose been at the wheel since 1975, from fish to fruit he’s pulled it all.

His 35 years experience behind the wheel has taught him the many dangers that truckers face on a daily basis. One area is that front end blind spot that plagues every truck driver. How on earth can you see that car or motorcycle that is running beside you and a little ahead of your door?. Essentially, you can't! Until Now....

Drawing upon his 35 years experience behind the wheel Marty invented the Smart Lite; A simple system which he says is “A breakthrough in commercial trucking that will save lives” According to Marty "The Smart Lite device is revolutionary in that it allows the operator to see what is occupying the space in that front end blind spot. Before Smart Lite there was no device or system that allowed the operator to make a 100% visual determination of what was beside him and a little ahead of his door. With Smart Lite that problem is now solved."

Indeed, this simple yet revolutionary safety device is already being hailed by commercial truckers for its simplicity and effectiveness. The device has already received an endorsement by the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC) as a safety feature that greatly improves trucker safety.

"A Breakthrough In Commercial Trucking That Will Save Lives!"

Today's Trucking: The Lockwood Report: Blind Spots, A New Way To Fix, 'Em

Today's Trucking: The Lockwood Report: 

Blind Spots, A New Way To Fix, 'Em

It was back in June of 2013 that Smart Lite inventor Marty Vanderhoek was interviewed by Today's Trucking. In that interview - the first of many - Marty introduced the world to his new invention; The Smart Lite. 

It was an invention which was many years in the making. It was also an invention that would revolutionize safety in commercial trucking. As Marty would say "It Was A Breakthrough In Commercial Truck Safety That Will Save Lives!"

Today's Trucking: The Lockwood Report

Watch and Listen to Marty's Story. 

About Smart Lite

60% of all truck accidents are directly contributed to the front end blind spot of commercial trucks. In North America alone over 5,000 deaths and 140,000 injuries occur annually. At Smart Lite we believe that those statistics are far too high.

What is Smart Lite? Smart Lite is designed to reduce crashes, to save lives and to reduce injuries. The system was designed by Marty Vanderhoek, a professional commercial truck driver with over 20 years experience in the industry. It is a simple, yet unique design that utilises simple mirror to mirror technology to completely expose the entire front end area of the truck to the driver from inside the cab. As a result. the device offers the driver a clear and unrestricted view of any vehicle, motorcycle, cyclist or pedestrian that could be in the front or blind spots or no zone area of the truck.

No high tech cameras, mirrors or unreliable beeper systems. With Smart Lite the driver instantly sees whatever is in the front and blind spot areas of the truck by a split second glance into the West Coast mirror. For more information on the Smart Lite system please visit our web page or contact us at info@xlite.ca  

About Marty Vanderhoek : Inventor of the Smart Lite 

Marty Vanderhoek is a life long trucker from Langley, B.C., Canada whose been at the wheel since 1975, from fish to fruit he’s pulled it all.

His 35 years experience behind the wheel has taught him the many dangers that truckers face on a daily basis. One area is that front end blind spot that plagues every truck driver. How on earth can you see that car or motorcycle that is running beside you and a little ahead of your door?. Essentially, you can't! Until Now....

Drawing upon his 35 years experience behind the wheel Marty invented the Smart Lite; A simple system which he says is “A breakthrough in commercial trucking that will save lives” According to Marty "The Smart Lite device is revolutionary in that it allows the operator to see what is occupying the space in that front end blind spot. Before Smart Lite there was no device or system that allowed the operator to make a 100% visual determination of what was beside him and a little ahead of his door. With Smart Lite that problem is now solved."

Indeed, this simple yet revolutionary safety device is already being hailed by commercial truckers for its simplicity and effectiveness. The device has already received an endorsement by the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC) as a safety feature that greatly improves trucker safety.

"A Breakthrough In Commercial Trucking That Will Save Lives!"

Related

What Is Smart Lite? An Open Letter By Marty Vanderhoek

Province Newspaper: Gadget Makes The Blind Spot Visible

Province Newspaper: 

Gadget Makes The Blind Spot Visible

On December 23, 2014, The Province Newspaper, a major metropolitan newspaper near Vancouver, Canada wrote a very educational and informative article on Smart Lite. The article written by columnist and 

trucker John Stirling  appeared in the "Trucker" Section of their newspaper.

The product invented by life long trucker Marty Vanderhoek is a breakthrough in commercial truck safety because for the first time a professional driver is able to utilise a device that allows him/her to determine with 100% accuracy a complete and total visual determination of what is or is not in the passenger side blind spot.

No other device or technology, prior to the Smart Lite, has given the operator the ability to make such a valid conclusion.

Marty Vanderhoek Talks About Smart Lite

About Smart Lite

60% of all truck accidents are directly contributed to the front end blind spot of commercial trucks. In North America alone over 5,000 deaths and 140,000 injuries occur annually. At Smart Lite we believe that those statistics are far too high.

What is Smart Lite? Smart Lite is designed to reduce crashes, to save lives and to reduce injuries. The system was designed by Marty Vanderhoek, a professional commercial truck driver with over 20 years experience in the industry. It is a simple, yet unique design that utilises simple mirror to mirror technology to completely expose the entire front end area of the truck to the driver from inside the cab. As a result. the device offers the driver a clear and unrestricted view of any vehicle, motorcycle, cyclist or pedestrian that could be in the front or blind spots or no zone area of the truck.

No high tech cameras, mirrors or unreliable beeper systems. With Smart Lite the driver instantly sees whatever is in the front and blind spot areas of the truck by a split second glance into the West Coast mirror. For more information on the Smart Lite system please visit our web page or contact us at info@xlite.ca  

About Marty Vanderhoek : Inventor of the Smart Lite 

Marty Vanderhoek is a life long trucker from Langley, B.C., Canada whose been at the wheel since 1975, from fish to fruit he’s pulled it all.

His 35 years experience behind the wheel has taught him the many dangers that truckers face on a daily basis. One area is that front end blind spot that plagues every truck driver. How on earth can you see that car or motorcycle that is running beside you and a little ahead of your door?. Essentially, you can't! Until Now....

Drawing upon his 35 years experience behind the wheel Marty invented the Smart Lite; A simple system which he says is “A breakthrough in commercial trucking that will save lives” According to Marty "The Smart Lite device is revolutionary in that it allows the operator to see what is occupying the space in that front end blind spot. Before Smart Lite there was no device or system that allowed the operator to make a 100% visual determination of what was beside him and a little ahead of his door. With Smart Lite that problem is now solved."

Indeed, this simple yet revolutionary safety device is already being hailed by commercial truckers for its simplicity and effectiveness. The device has already received an endorsement by the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC) as a safety feature that greatly improves trucker safety.

"A Breakthrough In Commercial Trucking That Will Save Lives!"

You Can Help Save Lives.! You Can Make A Difference. Help Make Our Roads And Highways A Safer Place

You Can Help Save Lives.! You Can Make A Difference. Help Make Our Roads And Highways A Safer Place

According to the most recent statistics from the United States Federal Motor Safety Administration (FMSA) there were 5,610,000 total crashes, 30,800 fatal crashes, and over 3,950,000 injuries reported on U.S. highways in 2012. In Canada, a country with a much smaller population, the numbers were still relatively staggering, 122,140 personal injury collisions, 1,823 fatal collisions and 165,172 total injuries.

Marty Vanderhoek is a life-long trucker from Langley, B.C., Canada whose been on the highway at the wheel since 1975, from fish to fruit he’s pulled it all.  

His 35 years experience behind the wheel has taught him the many dangers that commercial truckers face on a daily basis. One area is that front end blind spot that plagues every truck driver. How on earth can you see that car or motorcycle that is running beside you and a little ahead of your door?. Essentially, you can't!  Until Now....

Drawing upon his 35 years experience behind the wheel Marty invented the Smart Lite; A simple system which he says is “a breakthrough in commercial trucking that will save lives” According to Marty "The Smart Lite device is revolutionary in that it allows the operator to see what is occupying the space in that front end blind spot. Before Smart Lite there was no device or system that allowed the operator to  make a 100% visual determination of what was beside him and a little ahead of his door. With Smart Lite that problem is now solved."

Indeed, this simple yet revolutionary safety device is already being hailed by commercial truckers for its simplicity and effectiveness. The device has already received an endorsement by the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC) as a safety feature that greatly improves trucker safety. 

Currently, Marty is on a fund raising campaign to help raise money to market this product. If you would like to contribute to Marty's campaign then please click here to see how you can get involved.

A Big Rig's Worst Nightmare: The Passenger Door Blind Spot

A Big Rigs Worst Nightmare: The Passenger Door Blind Spot

The Death Zone: Cyclists, Motorcycles and Small Cars 

The death zone, that's what truckers call it. It's that area located on the big rigs passenger side where motorcycles, small cars and cyclists are hidden from view from the operator. In these instances, It seems that it doesn't matter how the operator adjust the mirrors and works the angles; it's just the physical angle of the spot that makes it impossible to detect smaller objects in that space. 

On August 14, 2014 the Vancouver Province Newspaper published an article in their driving section titled "Where Are You? I Can't See You There". The article was written by a commercial truck driver who discussed his personal experiences in dealing with moving objects in the area which he called the "death zone."

According to the author of the article  "bicycles or motorcycles are so skinny, [that] my mirrors cannot see [them]. [Their] vehicles needs to be further back and almost on the painted lane markers before I can see them. But no. They are dead centre, behind me. Blind spot. The death zone." 

He continued, "cyclists and motorcycles like to get a free ride by tucking in close and letting the vortex from my trailer suck them down the road. One tap of the brakes on my six axles, and it's a messy time for that two wheeler."  

(Read)  Where Are You? I Can't See Your There

At Smart Lite We Understand!

At Smart Lite, we understand the deadly consequences that await those who are caught in the 'dead zone'. We also understand the position of the operator and the difficulty that he or she has in determining if anyone or anything is in that zone. 

About Smart Lite

60% of all truck accidents are directly contributed to the front end blind spot of commercial trucks. In North America alone over 5,000 deaths and 140,000 injuries occur annually. At Smart Lite we believe that those statistics are far too high.

What is Smart Lite? Smart Lite is designed to reduce crashes, to save lives and to reduce injuries. The system was designed by Marty Vanderhoek, a professional commercial truck driver with over 20 years experience in the industry. It is a simple, yet unique design that utilises simple mirror to mirror technology to completely expose the entire front end area of the truck to the driver from inside the cab. As a result. the device offers the driver a clear and unrestricted view of any vehicle, motorcycle, cyclist or pedestrian that could be in the front or blind spots or no zone area of the truck.

No high tech cameras, mirrors or unreliable beeper systems. With Smart Lite the driver instantly sees whatever is in the front and blind spot areas of the truck by a split second glance into the West Coast mirror. For more information on the Smart Lite system please visit our web page or contact us at info@xlite.ca  

About Marty Vanderhoek : Inventor of the Smart Lite 

Marty Vanderhoek is a life long trucker from Langley, B.C., Canada whose been at the wheel since 1975, from fish to fruit he’s pulled it all.

His 35 years experience behind the wheel has taught him the many dangers that truckers face on a daily basis. One area is that front end blind spot that plagues every truck driver. How on earth can you see that car or motorcycle that is running beside you and a little ahead of your door?. Essentially, you can't! Until Now....

Drawing upon his 35 years experience behind the wheel Marty invented the Smart Lite; A simple system which he says is “A breakthrough in commercial trucking that will save lives” According to Marty "The Smart Lite device is revolutionary in that it allows the operator to see what is occupying the space in that front end blind spot. Before Smart Lite there was no device or system that allowed the operator to make a 100% visual determination of what was beside him and a little ahead of his door. With Smart Lite that problem is now solved."

Indeed, this simple yet revolutionary safety device is already being hailed by commercial truckers for its simplicity and effectiveness. The device has already received an endorsement by the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC) as a safety feature that greatly improves trucker safety.

"A Breakthrough In Commercial Trucking That Will Save Lives!"

Marty Vanderhoek: Inventor Of The Smart Lite System: Biography

Marty Vanderhoek 
Inventor of the Smart Lite 
Biography

Marty Vanderhoek is a life long trucker from Langley, B.C., Canada whose been at 

the wheel since 1975, from fish to fruit he’s pulled it all.  

His 35 years experience behind the wheel has taught him the many dangers that truckers face on a daily basis. One area is that front end blind spot that plagues every truck driver. How on earth can you see that car or motorcycle that is running beside you and a little ahead of your door?. Essentially, you can't!  Until Now....

Drawing upon his 35 years experience behind the wheel Marty invented the Smart Lite; A simple system which he says is “A breakthrough in commercial trucking that will save lives” According to Marty "The Smart Lite device is revolutionary in that it allows the operator to see what is occupying the space in that front end blind spot. Before Smart Lite there was no device or system that allowed the operator to  make a 100% visual determination of what was beside him and a little ahead of his door. With Smart Lite that problem is now solved."

Indeed, this simple yet revolutionary safety device is already being hailed by commercial truckers for its simplicity and effectiveness. The device has already received an endorsement by the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC) as a safety feature that greatly improves trucker safety.

"A Breakthrough In Commercial Trucking That Will Save Lives!"