The Freight Transport Association (FTA) is urging operators to prioritise safety and compliance, following a Metropolitan Police operation in London on Monday (18 November), which saw more than 20% of lorries stopped issued with fixed penalty notices totalling £2,300.
Of the 70 LGVs stopped in the police operation - which focused on some of the capital’s hotspots shared between lorry drivers and cyclists during rush hour - 15 were fined under safety grounds for reasons including drivers’ hours breaches and poor vehicle maintenance.
Around 100 cyclists were also targeted during the swoop, and were stopped and given advice by officers about inappropriate behaviour, such as cutting corners and wearing headphones while riding.
James Hookham, FTA managing director policy and communications, said: “Safety and compliance are at the heart of what FTA stands for, and supporting our members in order that they can achieve these aims is vital. There is no excuse for poor standards in truck and van fleets. It is imperative that all commercial vehicles on our roads are fully maintained and roadworthy, and that all drivers are competent and comply with the rules on breaks and rests.”
The warning comes after the Transport Committee said it would hold an inquiry next month into cycle safety, after the sixth cycling death in London within the past fortnight.
