Dennis Eagle: why five-star reviews matter in London
Refuse collection vehicle (RCV) manufacturer Dennis Eagle has emphasised the critical difference that a five-star rating under the London Direct Vision Standard (DVS) can make to fleet safety.
With so many of us only buying our coffees where we see five-star feedback, says Dennis Eagle, it’s little surprise more operators are also opting for the highest reviews when specifying their fleet.
Testing confirms why initiatives such as DVS are vital, says the manufacturer. It cites a simulation study by Transport for London, Arup and the University of Leeds PAC Lab which showed that driving a non-direct vision vehicle led to a 23 per cent increase in pedestrian collisions – while distracted drivers in Direct Vision vehicles reacted faster than attentive drivers in Low Vision vehicles.
The DVS rating scale objectively measures a driver’s direct view through the HGV cab windows to assess the level of risk posed to road users near the vehicle. The results are expressed as a star rating from zero (limited visibility) to five (excellent visibility).
After its assessment under the system, Eagle’s Elite+ RCV received the top five-star rating.
“At Dennis Eagle, safety comes first and Direct Vision is at the core of our design,” said Geoff Rigg, director at Dennis Eagle.
“Our customers operate in environments filled with pedestrians, cyclists and other road users – day and night. Safety tops their sourcing criteria. The Elite+ not only protects others on the road but also provides peace of mind for the crew and operators.”
Designed with people in mind, every element of the Elite+ cab is carefully considered, says the company. With three individual seats for crew members, the layout allows the outer seat to be recessed to improve the driver’s near-side visibility.
Slim windscreen pillars, a deep windscreen and large rear windows help drivers feel confident when manoeuvring and navigating urban hazards. The driver’s seat, which is positioned low in the cab, brings the driver closer to eye level with other road users, enabling direct eye contact.
“This really helps drivers anticipate the actions of pedestrians and cyclists, improving communication and therefore safety,” added Rigg.
For the London Borough of Enfield, the Elite+’s five-star Direct Vision rating was a major advantage in the decision to opt for the truck in 2025 – and it is not just in central London where the visibility is a factor in fleet sourcing, says the manufacturer. Crawley Council is another local authority that has adopted the vehicles.
“At the top of our list was safety,” said partnership services manager, Paul Baker.
“Our urban areas present some very tight streets, only exacerbated by more residents working from home, resulting in more parked cars to navigate. Visibility from the front, as well as for reversing and manoeuvring, was crucial.”
To further reduce driver workload and enhance situational awareness, Dennis Eagle’s designers have created simplified, user-friendly controls.
“There’s plenty of seat adjustment to improve visibility and reduce physical stress, helping the driver stay comfortable and focused on the task at hand,” said Rigg.
While TfL data from 2023 shows the number of road fatalities fell to its second-lowest level, says Dennis Eagle, the 95 lives lost serve as a stark reminder that more work needs to be done.
“We continue to invest and innovate to ensure we remain leaders in protecting vulnerable road users,” Rigg continued.
“Whether through DVS, or via active and passive safety measures, we won’t stop seeking new ways to improve safety.”
Alongside the built-in safety elements of the Elite+ cab, Dennis Eagle offers a suite of additional safety features. One example is the Five Camera DVR System, which provides a full 360˚ field of view on a seven-inch in-cab screen. This not only protects vulnerable road users but also offers visibility of the work area, adding an extra layer of protection for the crew.
The enhanced visibility can also help reduce damage-related incidents, adds the manufacturer, minimising insurance costs and operational downtime.
Reversing is one of the biggest challenges in built-up environments. The Reverse Radar Assistant detects both people and objects, offering visual and audible warnings to the driver.
Sometimes, simple features can be lifesavers. One such example is Dennis Eagle’s Turn Alarm, which clearly alerts nearby road users when the vehicle is turning.
Additional safety options are continually being developed and, like the above, can be factory-fitted for enhanced peace of mind.
