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Ahead of the Transport Committee’s cycling safety evidence sessions next week, Labour has involved itself in the debate with the launch of an HGV Safety Charter.

Detailing a series of safety measures it expects hauliers to take to ensure the safety of cyclists after a recent series of deaths on the road, the voluntary charter will likely become law if Labour wins the 2015 General Election.

“Labour’s new charter lays down tough new safety rules for HGVs,” said shadow transport secretary Mary Creagh. “If Labour wins the 2015 election and the sector hasn’t responded, we will legislate to make these safety features compulsory.”

Creagh said solving the problem of cycling safety needed education, enforcement and engineering.

“Labour’s HGV Safety Charter is an important first step on that journey and we encourage businesses to sign up,” she said.

It comes as the Metropolitan Police revealed it had issued more than 2,000 fixed penalty notices to cyclists, LGV and car drivers during the first three days of its road safety crackdown in London this week

Labour's mandated safety measures (new and existing vehicles)

Reversing alarm

Rear-view camera

Daytime running lights

Mirror Class VI (Cyclops mirror)

Rear warning sign for cyclists

Tipper sheeting

(implementation date for all the above June 2014)

Side under run guards

Blind spot elimination devices

Audible warning for cyclists

(implementation date for all the above December 2017)

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