RHA in renewed plea for DVS flexibility
The Road Haulage Association (RHA) last month reiterated calls for Transport for London (TfL) to extend the grace period for compliance with more stringent Direct Vision Standard (DVS) rules set to enter into force on 28 October.
The RHA cited a recent survey suggesting that 76 per cent of operators were not confident that they could comply by that date with new requirements for the Progressive Safe System (PSS), the suite of safety equipment that must be installed under the incoming rules if vehicles do not provide their drivers with acceptable levels of direct vision from the cab.
Meanwhile, 80 per cent of operators said they would need more time to fit compliant kit, while a third said that they would permanently reduce the numbers of lorries they were running into the capital.
The grace period, which will be dependent on operators being able to provide satisfactory evidence of plans to fit equipment, is set to last for three months until the end of January 2025, though further extension by TfL remained a possibility.
“We’re clear that operators must be supported at every stage so that they can get clarity on how to comply with the new criteria,” said the RHA.
“All hauliers irrespective of size are currently facing challenges around DVS. They are concerned about the availability of affordable, reliable, and compliant equipment. That’s why we are asking for an extension of the grace period from the current three months to a minimum of twelve, with a review to be put in place to ensure adherence. We are not asking for the implementation date to move, but we ask that a realistic assessment of the situation is made.”
