London-wide ban for HGVs without safety gear

12th March 2015

From September, all vans and HGVs over 3.5-tonnes in London that are not fitted with extra mirrors and side guards can be fined up to £1,000 for each breach, according to the terms of Britain’s first ‘Safer Lorry Scheme’.

Traffic orders implementing the scheme are currently being published. Installation of road signs at the London boundary, training of police officers and information campaigns with drivers and hauliers have all started.

The scheme will start on 1 September, as soon as all of the 600 warning signs are in place.

All roads in Greater London (except motorways) will be covered by the scheme.  It will require vehicles of more than 3.5 tonnes to be fitted with sideguards to protect cyclists from being dragged under the wheels in the event of a collision, along with Class V and Class VI mirrors giving the driver a better view of cyclists and pedestrians around their vehicle.

The scheme will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and will be enforced by the police, the DVSA and the joint TfL and DfT-funded Industrial HGV Taskforce. The maximum fine for each breach of the ban will be £1,000, and the operator will also be referred for consideration to the relevant Traffic Commissioner.

“Improving the safety of London's roads is a top priority,” London Mayor Boris Johnson said. “We know a large number of cyclist deaths and serious injuries involve a relatively small number of trucks and lorries that are not fitted with basic safety equipment. The Safer Lorry Scheme will see them effectively banned from our streets.  I urge all operators of HGVs to get on board and make it a success.”