EU Directive To Improve Lorry Mirrors

The European Union (EU) has introduced a new directive aimed at improving lorry safety through improving the drivers’ mirrors.

According to the regulations certain vehicles over 3.5 tones must be retrofitted with the proper devices by the 31st March 2009 to improve the driver’s field of vision.  The Freight Transport Association (FTA) has published a Compliance Guide called ‘Retrofitting of Mirrors to HGVs’.  This guide outlines the new regulations and how LGV and HGV drivers or operators can meet them.  It also includes the requirements for retrofitting mirrors and a set of questions and answers.

This directive is designed to improve road user safety, in particular the safety of cyclists, pedestrian and motorcyclists.  LGV’s have a blind spot on the passengers side and so this group of vulnerable road users have a great risk of being involved in incidents with LGV’s.

There is already some legislation in place, which makes an improved set of mirrors compulsory from 2007 onwards for new vehicles.  However, this new directive will improve the field of vision for existing large goods vehicles already in circulation.

Geoff Dossetter, FTA Director of External Affairs, said:

“The new generation of mirrors considerably improves the lorry driver’s field of vision and reduces blind spots, to the benefit of himself and other road users. Over many years there have been tragic accidents involving pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists moving along the inside of a heavy vehicle but totally unseen by the driver. The consequences of the lorry driver turning left, or simply adjusting his line on the road and into the path of the unseen pedestrian or rider, are obvious.

“Despite the benefits of the new mirror technology, the advice to all road users remains to take the utmost care when in the vicinity of heavy lorries. Whether slow moving in an urban situation or on a motorway or trunk road, give the lorry plenty of room and expect the unexpected.”

Lorries and vans are involved in less accidents than other categories of vehicles on a mile for mile basis.

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