FTA welcomes government road safety proposals
The Freight Transport Association has welcomed a raft of new proposals announced by the Department for Transport aimed at improving the safety of Britain’s roads.
The suggested measures include preventing HGV operators from removing sideguards or underrun protection.
“Assuming that there’s some allowance in the detail for any HGV where it is essential to that vehicle’s work, as with the London Safer Lorry Scheme, this should not prove a problem for the haulage industry,” said Christopher Snelling, FTA head of national and regional policy.
On another suggestion to increase the penalty points issued to truck drivers caught using a mobile phone whilst driving to six, Snelling said: “Use of a mobile phone whilst driving is clearly dangerous and illegal. We would note that while penalty points can act as a deterrent, such measures have more impact if there is a genuine chance of being caught.
“Consequently we feel increased targeted enforcement against high risk HGV operators in key areas such as London is more important than this change.”
Among the other announcements welcomed by FTA was funding for Bikeability training for schoolchildren, which Snelling said he hoped would incorporate information on safety around HGVs.
He added: “It is incremental improvements such as these, along with the hard work of road freight operators, that have contributed to the fact that half as many HGVs are involved in fatal incidents today as compared with 10 years ago.
“Overall this appears to be a sensible range of measures that should further improve the UK’s comparatively good road safety record.”
Also announced among the package of proposals were plans for additional funding for police officers with drug recognition and impairment testing skills.
Transport secretary Patrick McLoughlin said: “Britain has some of the safest roads in the world but we are always looking to improve that record… We are delivering common sense proposals that balance tougher penalties for dangerous drivers with practical steps to help youngsters and other more vulnerable groups stay safe on our roads.”
Meanwhile, FTA criticised proposals from the mayor of London, Boris Johnson, which would require the technical features of HGVs to be changed in order to improve safety – including through the fitment of a transparent panel in the lower half of truck passenger doors to improve visibility. FTA estimates that the cost of this retrofit exercise to the industry would be around £280 million.
Said Christopher Snelling: “Improving visibility for HGV drivers is really important, but there are many different ways to achieve this. We are disappointed that the mayor has chosen to focus on just one option without clear evidence that this is the best way to deliver the desired outcome.
“Side panel have limitations – for example, if the vehicle is carrying a second crew member or equipment then the view may be obscured. In recent years the Mayor and Transport for London (TfL) have made additional mirrors, cameras and sensors a priority for HGVs. Now suddenly this one panel is the answer – and those who have already eliminated this blind spot through technology will be forced to adapt their vehicles again to address the same problem.”
He continued: “Wholly redesigned cabs with lower seats can eliminate far more blind spots – including those that affect pedestrian collisions as well as cyclists. But they are much more expensive – partly because so few are made. London can now help make these vehicles a part of the mainstream by allowing operators to off-set the cost of buying them against a reduced congestion charge.
“It is important to remember that any cost added to logistics in London will eventually get passed on to the users – the businesses and residents of London. They are the ones who will ultimately be paying this bill.”
