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Government plans wide range of action on construction HGV safety

Transport Minister, Stephen Hammond, London Mayor, Boris Johnson, and London’s Transport Commissioner, Sir Peter Hendy CBE have announced (4 September 2013) the following measures to improve cycle safety in London.

• Direct action – HGV Task Force taking “direct action” against dangerous drivers, vehicles/operators;
• Review regulations – review of exemptions to current HGV regulations;
• Vehicle design – press EU to speed up review of the HGV design for safety;
• Driver training – examine evidence on how HGV driver training could change; and
• Lorry levy – consult on a “safer lorry charge” levied on HGVs presenting a danger to cyclists.

The Department for Transport (DfT) and TfL will strengthen the enforcement of HGV standards by dedicating more Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) and Metropolitan Police officers to this activity in the capital. They will establish a dedicated London-based Industrial HGV Task Force to raise awareness of safety requirements for vehicles and drivers and to take enforcement action against the minority of dangerous operators, vehicles and drivers.

This will complement existing work by the Metropolitan Police with TfL funding to improve road safety and cycle safety in London, including the enforcement of Advanced Stop Lines and to fine cyclists who jump red lights, promoting safer behaviour by all road users.

Construction vehicle rules come under close scrutiny 

National legislation requires that most HGVs e.g. supermarket delivery lorries, are required to be fitted with safety equipment such as sidebars or low skirts which protect cyclists and other vulnerable road users from being dragged underneath the vehicle in the event of a collision.

However, a small number of vehicle types – particularly those operating in the construction sector – are exempt from fitting certain safety equipment. The rising number of such vehicles in London present a risk to the growing number of cyclists..

TfL and Crossrail procurement conditions already require that exempt vehicles are fitted with such safety equipment. Through a combination of contractual conditions and action taken by responsible operators, it has been proven possible to install safety equipment such as side guards as standard to construction related vehicles in London without a negative impact on operations.

Transport Minister Stephen Hammond therefore also announced today that the DfT will review exemptions to current vehicle regulations, which mean some construction and waste carrying lorries do not have to be fitted with side guards. They will also review the way regulations applying to specialised mobile equipment such as volumetric concrete mixers and mobile cranes are enforced.

Stephen Hammond said:

“The Government is committed to improving the safety of cyclists and other vulnerable road users. Today’s announcement of a dedicated Industrial HGV Task Force will target the small minority of large goods vehicle operators who are unaware of, or just wilfully non-compliant with, safety regulations for HGVs and their drivers.

I have also committed to review vehicle regulations to ensure there are no unjustified exemptions from safety standards and, together with the Mayor, will press the EU to improve vehicle safety designs as soon as possible.”

The Mayor, Boris Johnson, said:

“I have long been worried that a large number of cyclist deaths involve a relatively small number of problem lorries which are not fitted with safety equipment.

In my Cycling Vision in March, I said that no lorry should be allowed in London unless it is fitted with equipment to protect cyclists. After a lot of work behind the scenes, we have today taken the first steps to make this a reality.”

This article was posted on 4th September 2013