Dangerous lorries to be banned from London to reduce cyclist deaths

A new Safer Lorries Scheme has been launched for consultation by Transport for London today, in a bid to reduce HGV-related serious injury and fatalities in the capital by 40% by 2020.

Lorries without side guards and safety mirrors will be banned from London's streets 24 hours a day and seven days a week from as early as next year.

HGVs were involved in nine of the 14 cycling fatalities in London in 2013, and the mayor says one of his top priorities is reducing deaths of vulnerable road users in London.

Boris Johnson, Mayor of London, said: "I have long been worried that a large number of cyclist deaths involve a relatively small number of problem lorries which are not fitted with safety equipment. My Safer Lorries Scheme would see those lorries effectively banned from our streets and the lives of thousands of cyclists and pedestrians would be much safer as a result.

"Vehicles that would be affected by this scheme can easily be retrofitted to comply and doing so will save lives."

The announcement comes on the same day Sainsbury's unveiled its own safer lorry, complete with cameras giving the driver 360 degree vision around the vehicle, extra indicators, lights and alarms, stickers warning cyclists when they are in the lorry's blind spots, and extended side and rear guards.

The ban will cover the Low Emissions Zone, and subject to DfT approval, will be enforceable by CCTV. It forms part of the Mayor's six point commitment to improve road safety in the capital, and London's road safety action plan, announced in June.

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