Government eyes national rollout of London’s Direct Vision Standard for fleets

In response to a Parliamentary question about the merits of rolling out the safety regulations nationally, transport minister Simon Lightwood said it was “exploring options” that would give it the authority to make hauliers fit sensors, devices and warning systems to their vehicles and keep vulnerable road users safe.

Lightwood said: “Vehicle construction regulations are generally set at an international level in the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, and the UK played an active role in the development of regulation 167 on direct vision. 

“This regulation is included in the European Union’s general safety regulation (GSR).

“Following external analysis of the specific benefits and costs of the GSR measures, the government is exploring options for updates to our national type approval legislation to mandate fitment of these safety technologies and vehicle design features in Great Britain.”

Logistics UK said the government had not confirmed it was extending the DVS requirements, but that any new legislation would require consistent regional regulation.

Maddi Solloway-Price, head of road freight and English regions policy at Logistics UK said:

“Different requirements in different areas create a patchwork of legislation that penalises operators and inhibits the efficient movement of goods that we all rely on.

“The implementation of DVS in the capital was beset with delays, specification confusion and expense for operators.

“Hauliers need certainty and for requirements to be clear so they can plan ahead and make any necessary investment in equipment.”

She added: “Logistics UK and its members are fully committed to improving the safety of all road users and support the London Mayor’s Vision Zero road safety strategy, including continuous improvements to ensure the safe operation of vehicles.”

The RHA said it also backed measures that improved road safety, but its policy and public affairs director Declan Pang cautioned: “Any proposal to expand the Direct Vision Standard beyond London must be developed in full consultation with the road freight sector.

“It’s essential that the potential impacts on businesses and supply-chains are carefully considered, including necessary support provided to help operators adapt without undue disruption.”

Motor Transport approached the DfT for more information about how any national rollout of the DVS requirements might be achieved but a spokeswoman said it was not providing any more comment other than that contained in the Minister’s response.

Figures released earlier this summer by Transport for London showed six lives were being saved in London each year due to the DVS and the number of people killed or seriously injured on the capital’s roads was at the lowest level on record outside of the pandemic-affected years.