Londoners and stakeholders have been invited to give their feedback on a proposed safety standard permit scheme for Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs), as part of the Mayor and Transport for London’s (TfL’s) work to reduce danger on the capital’s roads.

The proposed HGV Safety Permit Scheme would require all HGVs over 12 tonnes to hold a safety permit to operate in London from 2020. The specifics of the permit will be developed next year, following this consultation, but could include specific safety systems such as sensors, visual warnings and comprehensive driver training. The permit would evolve over time to set increasingly ambitious requirements as technology advances.

The development of the proposed permit scheme forms part of the Mayor and TfL’s Vision Zero approach to eliminating all deaths and serious injuries from London’s roads by 2041. Research by TfL shows that in 2015, HGVs were involved in disproportionately high numbers of fatal collisions with cyclists (78%) and pedestrians (20%) on London’s streets, despite only making up four per cent of the overall miles driven in the capital.

Alex Williams, TfL’s director of City Planning, said: “The number of deaths each year involving HGVs is a tragedy and we are committed to changing this. We welcome feedback from the industry and all other road users on our latest proposals for the HGV Safety Permit Scheme, as we work together to improve vehicle safety.”

The HGV Safety Permit Scheme widens TfL’s approach beyond direct vision as it helps to address a broader range of road danger risks. The forthcoming Direct Vision Standard will be the first initiative of its kind to categorise HGVs depending on the level of a driver’s direct vision from a cab. HGVs will be given a rating between ‘zero-star’ (lowest) and ‘five-star’ (highest), with only those vehicles rated ‘three-star’ and above, or which have an advanced safety system allowed on London’s streets by 2024.

The expertise of both industry experts and vulnerable road user representatives has helped shape the proposals for the new HGV Safety Permit and they will continue to be an important part of developing plans for this. The details of the method for rating vehicles against the Direct Vision Standard will be included in this consultation. Confirmed star ratings will subsequently be published following feedback from this consultation.

Alongside developing the Direct Vision Standard and the proposed Safety Permit Scheme, TfL has also been lobbying the European Commission for changes in international vehicle safety and design regulations to push for long term improvements to future HGV fleets. As a result of this lobbying, MEPs recently voted overwhelmingly in support of having standards of 'direct vision’, which will be proposed by the European Commission when it overhauls vehicle safety rules early next year.

The consultation is open until the 24 January 2018. Visit tfl.gov.uk/direct-vision-standard to have your say. 

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