Tarmac has become the first company in the UK to trial a new Econic concrete mixer – a vehicle designed with road user safety in mind.The vehicle has been designed by manufacturer Mercedes-Benz to enhance the driver’s field of vision, particularly on busy urban roads. It features a panoramic windscreen and floor-to-ceiling doors, allowing drivers with improved visibility of cyclists particularly if they approach the nearside of the vehicle, a key blind spot in traditional-modelled vehicles.It also features a low-entry cab – with only two steps from the ground – which greatly reduces the risk of slipping, tripping and falling when leaving the vehicle.Tarmac is trialling the 26 tonne concrete mixer with six metres’ capacity at its Silvertown ready mix concrete plant in London.National transport manager Sean McGrae said: “We operate the largest vehicle fleet in the industry, and are committed to improving vulnerable road user safety across the UK. The trial of the Econic mixer is part of our broader approach to road user safety.“We are pleased to be working with vehicle manufacturers like Mercedes-Benz to trial this revolutionary new safety design. As an industry, it’s important that we continually explore opportunities to drive improvements in this area.”