Safety schemes for HGV operators must be mandated nationally if vulnerable road users are to be protected UK wide, says Steersafe.
Campaigners state that safety can be optimised only if a firm position is taken on the elimination of blind spots.
Steersafe says that whilst the Safer Lorry Scheme, CLOCS and FORS have been adopted by operators within the capital – cyclists and pedestrians are equally vulnerable outside London.
The road safety campaign group has said that an improved national standard is required.
“It’s bad enough that the safety measures introduced in London still don’t take full account of the hazards of blind spots, but that these are confined to the capital is absurd,” said Chris Hanson-Abbott OBE, founder of Steersafe.
“Every year, thousands of cyclists suffer avoidable accidents nationwide due to driver blind spots. These are all visible using a 360-degree camera system to give the driver a continuous birds-eye view of a wide footprint all round the vehicle.
“This life-saving technology is tried, tested and out there. A blind-spot is no longer an excuse and a national standard is, literally, vital,” he adds.
