On 14 February, 2023 Transport for London (TfL) issued proposals to build on and improve the existing HGV safety permit scheme, reducing the level of risk to vulnerable road users such as people walking and cycling.

"Enabling more Londoners to walk and cycle safely is a top priority for the Mayor and it's at the heart of our plans for a greener and more sustainable London for everyone," said Will Norman, London’s Walking and Cycling Commissioner.

This follows data that shows fatal collisions involving HGVs, where vision has been cited as a contributing factor, have halved (from 12 in 2018 to 6 in 2021) since the scheme was introduced. HGVs were involved in nearly half of fatal collisions involving people cycling and 19% of collisions involving people walking. The proposals include requirements for vehicles to be fitted with cameras to eliminate any remaining blind spots on the passenger side, as well as audio warnings about intended manoeuvres.

TfL is asking people to have their say on the plans, with a consultation now open until 3 April.

Proposed changes include:

• Updating existing guidance on the use of mirrors and mirror-replacement Camera Monitoring Systems (CMS);  
• The requirement for CMS fitted on vehicles to eliminate any remaining blind spots on the passenger side; 
• Sensors ensuring full coverage down the passenger side of all vehicles to detect vulnerable road users. They must not activate in relation to roadside furniture or stationary vehicles;  
• Moving Off Information Systems (MOIS) fitted to the front of a vehicle to prevent collisions at the frontal blind spot zone when a vehicle moves off from rest;  
• Audio warnings fitted to all vehicles, including those with left-hand drive to ensure all vehicles operating in London have the ability to warn of an intended manoeuvre.

Following the announcement, Logistics UK called for further specification details to be released to ensure operators are able to fully engage and respond. 

Chris Yarsley, Logistics UK’s Senior Policy Manager – Road Freight Regulation, commented: “The consultation document currently provided by TfL states that the specification for various safety features, including sensors, will be made available once the period for responses closes. This detail is vital as operators cannot provide a full response without clarity on what additional features will be required. Industry wants to fully engage however, this requires full understanding and detail that currently, the consultation does not provide.” 

Logistics UK is encouraged by the guidance that further safety features should be retrofittable to existing vehicles and not be cost prohibitive. Operators willingly engaged with the initial standards, incurring multiple costs to upgrading existing fleets. Mr Yarsley continued: “It is now important that these upgrades, which were made in good faith, are not fully superseded. Operators are facing increased costs due to rises to inflation, net zero transition costs and increased fuel prices. The logistics industry operates on tight profit margins and, like other sectors of the economy, is facing increased financial strain.  Logistics UK is urging TfL to consider not just the cost of purchasing, but also the potential costs of the vehicle(s) being out of service while fitting new systems. Logistics UK is also calling for TfL to consider the national shortfall of available technicians needed to make these upgrades, when considering timeframes for implementing the increased safety standard.” 

Mr Yarsley added that the industry fully supports the need to increase road safety and wants to work together with TfL to achieve this.  “It is vital we get this right. The consultation announced [on 14 February] is a welcome step towards this, however further clarity is needed to ensure this next phase in increasing the safety standard is practicable and effective.” 

The consultation is open until 3 April .2023 and can be completed here.

Photo:  Chris Yarsley, Logistics UK.