TfL says 79pc of public back direct vision plan

TfL has released the consultation report on the on the Direct Vision Standard (DVS) which focused on proposals for an HGV Safety Permit.

The report found that 91 per cent of the general public agreed that the HGV driver’s visibility through a HGV cab’s windows plays a role in collisions with vulnerable road users. 92 per cent agreed that driver visibility should be improved to reduce HGV road risk and 79 per cent agreed with the proposed DVS star rating boundaries for vehicles.

The DVS initiative will categorise HGVs depending on the level of a driver’s direct vision from a cab based on a rating ranging from ‘zero-star’ (lowest) and ‘five-star’ (highest). Only vehicles rated ‘three-star’ and above, or which have a comprehensive Safety System, will able to operate in London from 2024.

This initiative is part of the mayor and TfL’s Vision Zero approach to eliminating all deaths and serious injuries from London’s roads by 2041.

“The disproportionately high number of HGVs involved in fatal collisions with pedestrians and cyclists is a tragedy,” said TfL head of delivery planning Christina Calderato. These proposals are “important new safety measures which we hope will help to save many lives in the future.”