Driver Buddy System launched

The new Driver Buddy System, the brainchild of an international security expert, is claimed to provide the haulage industry with access to clever security that will help protect truckers from being prosecuted for unknowingly transporting illegal immigrants. It also helps to foil many immigrants' efforts to illegally enter a country by hiding in a lorry or trailer.

From infrared motion cameras to CO2 detection, Driver Buddy Defence works in tandem with the Driver Buddy Defence bespoke app. This allows drivers to monitor their truck in situ and remotely. A driver can view all cameras on board and underneath the truck and any clandestine passengers aboard can also be detected via increased C02 level monitoring and the driver will be silently alerted.

Via the app, drivers are also able to provide real time photographic records of their statutory security checks and this is instantly logged onto a secure server. Using GPS tagging, the app records location, time, date and the driver's identification. This can then be later produced to border security personnel when required.

Dobbs Logistics, based in East Sussex, is trialing the Driver Buddy Defence App amongst its drivers. Steve Morgan, MD, said the feedback was overwhelmingly positive. He said: "It's bombproof photographic and real-time evidence that the checks have been carried out. We can see what checks have been done, at what time and the exact spot they were carried out. It's no comparison to manual forms that drivers fill out at present – they are not worth the paper they are written on."

The Driver Buddy System has the backing of Conservative MP for Dover and Deal, Charlie Elphicke, whose community has been at the sharp end of a flood of illegal migrants. Mr Elphicke said: "Driver Buddy is a fantastic system and app. It has great potential to help drivers detect stowaways trying to clamber aboard their vehicles and make Britain's borders as safe and secure as possible.

"Barry Southon has shown me first-hand how Driver Buddy works to detect illegal migrants. The infrared cameras and CO2 monitors really are state of the art – they will catch illegal immigrants and stowaways virtually every time. The app also gives much-needed protection and confidence to drivers travelling through Calais that they can detect stowaways before making the crossing to Dover."

"I will keep making the case for more haulage companies to use Driver Buddy and the new App. It helps defend Dover from illegal migrants who seek enter Britain".

The Driver Buddy App also has the backing of top lawyers, who have the job of defending the lorry drivers. Top criminal lawyer, Justin Rivett of leading criminal law firm Warren's Law said: "This app and associated Driver Buddy System will go a long way towards providing robust defence evidence for an accused driver."

Driver Buddy System is the brainchild of Barry Southon, a leading security expert with a distinguished career that has seen him working with the US Military and the Home Office.

Barry said: "Driver Buddy has been two years in development and the end product is exceptional. It won't stop migrants climbing aboard but it will protect our men from fines and prosecution.

"What drivers and haulage companies will have is peace of mind that they won't face legal recrimination if a migrant is found. They will have evidence that they have carried out the relevant statutory checks at the start of their journey and have onboard monitoring in place to provide an added level of security."

The various elements of the Driver Buddy System have all been carefully selected to meet US Military standards and are exceptionally tough and robust.