www.truckandtrack.com Autumn 2022 Truck and Track 73 TRANSPORT FOR LONDON collisions in 2021 involved 0-star rated vehicles demonstrating the enhanced value of direct vision over other safe system equipment. This is an area of focus for future phases of the scheme and TfL is aiming to introduce tighter standards from October 2024 when the minimum DVS star rating will be 3-stars. All HGVs below 3-stars will need to feature a progressive safe system that will take into account new and emerging technology or safety equipment that was not available during the design of the current safe system. In anticipation of the tightened standards from October 2024, operators are already purchasing DVS compliant vehicles at 3-stars or above. Will Norman, London’s walking and cycling commissioner, said: “It’s vital that all vehicles using London’s roads have safety at the forefront of their design. London’s world-leading Direct Vision Standard is helping to significantly improve lorry safety in the capital and forms a key part of our Vision Zero plan to eliminate all deaths and serious injuries from our streets by 2041. Enabling more Londoners to walk and cycle safely is a top priority for the Mayor and at the heart of our plans for a greener and more sustainable London for everyone.” Christina Calderato, TfL’s Director of Transport Strategy and Policy, said: “In its first year of enforcement, our world-first Direct Vision Standard has helped to dramatically improve the safety of lorries and save lives. We are delighted that nearly 200,000 permits have been issued and want to thank all of the freight operators who have led the way in ensuring they only operate the safest lorries in London and across the UK. We also urge any freight operators who haven’t yet applied for a safety permit to do so and continue making our streets safer for the increasing number of Londoners who walk and cycle in our city. “We will be strengthening our life-saving Direct Vision Standards from 2024 and will continue to take every possible measure to eradicate deaths and serious injuries from our roads.” Gordon Sutherland, Traffic & Road Logistics Manager at Tideway, said: “Tideway is pleased to have supported the creation of the DVS. We were pro-active in recognising the risk to vulnerable road users associated with the project’s supply chain activity. Measures to address that risk included embedding a requirement for the fitting of indirect vision aids to HGVs in the contract documentation which has helped significantly in raising standards in the industry - but we can all do more through adoption of the DVS and helping to prove the concept that direct vision is best.” Dr Rachel Hayward, Head of Research, Policy and Development at Brake, said: “Brake warmly welcomes the news that the introduction of TfL’s Direct Vision Standard has delivered significant improvements to lorry safety, contributing to a reduction in fatal collisions and life-changing injuries on London’s roads. In line with our support for Vision Zero, no road death or serious injury is acceptable and therefore we look forward to further evidenced improvements in lorry safety when standards tighten from 2024”. HGVs rated 1 to 5 stars received their free safety permit automatically upon application. The operators of 0-star lorries in London are required to fit a variety of safe system equipment including: ■ High quality mirrors and side guards ■ Cameras covering blind spots linked to an in-cab display ■ An audible warning when turning left ■ Motion sensors covering the sides of the HGV at low speeds ■ A prominent warning on the back of their vehicle Several freight operators includingSUEZRecyclingandRecovery and FM Conway, alongside major projects such as Tideway, have led the way in introducing 5-star vehicles to London which provide high levels of direct vision and are the most effective at reducing tragic road deaths and serious injuries. As a result of the efforts of many freight operators, safer HGVs are now being used across the UK and beyond. TfL is also working with the EU and other cities to mandate direct vision in vehicle design and safety regulations. EU regulation 2019/2144, which comes into effect in 2022, requires all 27 members states to consider direct vision from HGV cab windows as a tool to reduce fatalities. The European Commission expects that this, along with other safety measures being introduced, will save an estimated 25,000 lives by 2038. TfL Image - Freight Vehicles in London TRUCK & TRAILER SOLUTIONS WELCOME TO ALLPORTS GROUP allportsgroup.co.uk Vehicle Graphics External Signage Covid-19 H & S Signage Promotional Signage
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