🕒 Article read time: 2 minutes
Direct Vision Standard – taking stock one year on
Between 2015 and 2017, HGVs were disproportionately involved in more fatal collisions with pedestrians and cyclists than other motor vehicles, including almost two out of three cyclist fatalities and one in four of those killed while walking.
In October 2019, Transport for London (TfL) launched the world’s first Direct Vision Standard (DVS), to prevent collisions caused by limited visibility and to help meet the Mayor’s Vision Zero aim to eliminate all deaths and serious injuries from London’s roads by 2041. It was not until five months later in March 2021, however, that TfL began enforcing the standard.
A YEAR OF ENFORCEMENT
TfL recently published The Direct Vision Standard (DVS) and Safety Permit: One year on report which contains data outlining the impact of the DVS and Safety Permit over its first year of enforcement.
Over those 12 months, close to 200,000 permits have been issued, of which more than half (112,000) were allocated to zero-star rated vehicles which have fitted the safe system and just 2.5 per cent (5,000) to 5-star vehicles, which offer the highest level of direct vision.
The average daily compliance rate for HGVs is high. More than nine out of ten HGVs in London now operate with a Safety Permit and operators are reporting that they are building DVS requirements into their future vehicle procurement plans.
FATALITIES RELATING TO VISION FALLING
The number of fatal collisions involving an HGV where vision was cited as a contributory factor has fallen by a third from nine in 2019 to six in 2021. The report identifies that the overall number of serious injuries involving HGVs has also fallen by more than half from 48 in 2017 to 17 in 2001.
Four of the six fatal collisions in 2021 where vision was cited as a contributory factor, were zero rated, which the report concludes demonstrates the value of direct vision over other safe system equipment.
FUTURE FOCUS ON SAFE SYSTEM
TfL is aiming to introduce tighter standards from October 2024 when the minimum DVS star rating will be 3-stars. All HGVs below 3-stars will need to feature a progressive safe system that will take into account new and emerging technology or safety equipment that was not available during the design of the current safe system.
Natalie Chapman, Head of Policy, Logistics UK, said: “This report from TfL, following the first year of its enforcement of the Direct Vision Standard, would suggest that there has been a marked reduction in fatalities involving HGVs where vision was cited as a factor, and an encouraging drop in the number of serious injuries involving HGVs in the capital. This is to be applauded.
“As safety equipment and emerging technologies develop at pace, Logistics UK will be feeding into the development of the progressive safe system on behalf of our members, ahead of a consultation to take place later this year.”
*www.logistics.org.uk/urban
Published On: 14/07/2022 16:00:34
Comments Section
If you are a Logistics UK member login to add comments.
