The mayor of London has launched a scheme to remove ‘the most dangerous’ Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) from the capital’s streets.
Big lorries accounted for just 4% of the overall miles driven in the capital, between 2015 and 2017, but were involved in 63% of fatal collisions involving cyclists and 25% involving pedestrians.
The Direct Vision Standard will award stars – from zero (lowest) to five (highest) – to HGVs over 12 tonnes based on how much a driver can see directly through their cab windows.
HGVs will need to meet a minimum ‘one-star’ rating to enable them to operate in London or will need to fit ‘Safe System’ measures to improve the vehicle’s safety.
Sadiq Khan said yesterday: ‘I’m proud of our world-leading plans to remove the most dangerous lorries from London’s streets. So many of the tragic deaths on our roads involve HGVs and this new scheme will help save lives.
‘Forward-looking businesses have already been choosing safer vehicles in the run up to HGV safety permits becoming available.
‘Today the scheme has gone live and operators now have 12 months to upgrade their fleets, helping make our streets much safer for people walking and cycling.’
