Green MEP Jean Lambert welcomes the introduction of legislation that will force manufacturers to improve windows and mirrors to improve cyclists’ visibility.
New legislation will improve cyclists’ safety on the road says Jean Lambert. Photograph courtesy of Jeremy Hughes.
MEPs in the European Parliament have voted to support measures which will improve the design of lorries to make them safer for cyclists.
The new legislation, on the dimensions of trucks in Europe, will force manufacturers to improve windows and mirrors to heighten cyclists’ visibility – which in turn could save hundreds of lives in London and across Europe. In 2013 nine of 16 fatalities on London’s roads involved lorries.
MEPs also voted to improve the efficiency of trucks and lorries, and vitally, voted to hold back measures which could pave the way for 25-meter long ‘mega-trucks’ to hit European roads.
Jean Lambert, London’s Green Party MEP, said:
“MEPs have voted today to introduce EU measures which will make cyclists more visible to lorry drivers. These improvements will reduce the number of accidents which sadly occur on our roads.
“In the UK alone, thousands of cyclists are seriously injured on our roads each year. I’m therefore delighted that measures which will improve visibility for lorry drivers have been supported. As a Green MEP, I believe we must do all we can to make our streets safer and cleaner, and this can begin by making roads safer for cyclists.
“I really welcome this vote today: We need to upgrade the cab design of lorries in order to keep vulnerable road users safe. We have seen too many deaths and serious injuries to cyclists on our roads and of the 16 fatalities in London last year, over half involved lorries. Changes such as better visibility from the cab, and better wing mirrors will help responsible drivers avoid tragedy.”
The new regulations are expected to come into force in 2016.