Three months until DVS: scheme will not achieve zero vehicular harm, says FTA

Friday 26 July 2019

With just three months until the first phase of the Direct Vision Standard (DVS) begins, FTA, the business organisation representing the logistics sector, is renewing its calls for the Mayor of London to realise the scheme is not the most effective way to achieve zero vehicular harm in the capital.

Natalie Chapman, Head of Urban Policy at FTA, commented: “The logistics sector is fully committed to improving road safety and takes its responsibility to do so very seriously; that’s why FTA is calling for the Mayor of London to realise that other strategies would deliver a far greater outcome. Technological development, along with internationally-agreed design standards and the retiming of deliveries to quieter periods, would provide a more robust and long-term safety solution than DVS alone; visibility from the cab should be viewed as just one aspect of holistic approach to road safety.”

Transport for London (TfL) has developed a five-star rating system to determine the amount of direct vision a HGV has. Those which meet the one-star rating will be automatically eligible for a permit, and therefore will be allowed to access into London. Those which are zero-star rated will need to prove that they meet the requirements of the new “safe system” to obtain a permit.

Miss Chapman continued: “While FTA is pleased to see TfL has listened to closely to our advice and has taken onboard many of our practical suggestions, we hope the team will adopt a more comprehensive range of measures to fast-track zero vehicular harm in the capital. In the meantime, we urge logistics businesses to check the star rating of their vehicle fleets as soon as possible; the Safety Permit scheme opens in just three months.”

Efficient logistics is vital to keep Britain trading, directly having an impact on more than seven million people employed in the making, selling and moving of goods.  With Brexit, new technology and other disruptive forces driving change in the way goods move across borders and through the supply chain, logistics has never been more important to UK plc. A champion and challenger, FTA speaks to Government with one voice on behalf of the whole sector, with members from the road, rail, sea and air industries, as well as the buyers of freight services such as retailers and manufacturers.