Operating a heavy goods vehicle (HGV) in London is unlike driving in any other part of the country. HGV drivers must consider the city’s unique circumstances, challenges, and various rules and regulations. They also bear the brunt of adapting to the constantly evolving safety standards such as the Direct Standard Vision (DVS) and HGV Safety Permit making driving in the capital unfavourable among many. Despite the drawbacks of operating in London, it is crucial for fleet managers to ensure that their drivers comply with the upcoming changes to support improved visibility and road awareness, making driving in London safer for all.
Introduced in 2021, the DVS rating system measures how much a driver can see through the HGV’s blind spots. The level of visibility is rated from zero to five stars, with zero representing the lowest level. The assessment takes into account factors such as the size and shape of the vehicle, the position of the driver’s cab and the design of the mirrors and windows.
As part of the Mayor of London’s plan to eliminate all deaths and serious injuries on London’s transport network by 2041, Transport for London (TfL) developed the DVS and HGV Safety Permit Scheme. Aiming to reduce HGV-related incidents involving pedestrians and cyclists due to poor visibility, the updated DVS means vehicles over 12 tonnes must obtain a safety permit before entering and operating in most of Greater London. To obtain safety permit compliance with the DVS, operators must meet a minimum DVS rating of three stars by 28 October 2024, however, the London Council’s Transport and Environment Committee agreed, on the 18th July 2024, to extend the grace period before enforcement begins on 4th May 2025.
Many drivers achieved compliant DVS ratings following its introduction, leading to a 75 per cent reduction in fatal collisions where poor vision was a contributing factor. Despite having already adjusted to changes and obtained safety permits, it is vital that they seek to comply with the Mayor of London’s new updates and continue to support the enhancement of HGV safety standards and the further reduction of risk of serious collisions and fatalities on London’s roads.
For many HGVs, adapting to the upcoming changes is as simple as installing a new Progressive Safe System (PSS) to improve the driver’s direct vision. The PSS includes several requirements vehicles must meet before they can obtain a permit and are qualified as safe to operate. One key feature of PSS is a Moving Off Information System (MOIS), fitted to the front of the vehicle with active alerts aiming to warn drivers of obstacles. In order to eradicate any remaining blind spots, a Camera Moving System (CMS) needs to be installed on the nearside of the car. A Blind Spot Information System (BSIS) must be installed on the nearside of the vehicle and the front of the car to ensure comprehensive coverage.
Other features set to improve visibility and awareness for both users on and off the road are audible alerts and visual warning decals, warning pedestrians and cyclists of vehicles making left turns. For left-hand drive vehicles, fitting an audible vehicle manoeuvring warning is imperative to alert pedestrians and cyclists during right turns.
Applications opened in June 2024 for safety permits for HGVs rated as zero, one or two stars that are required to fit the PSS. TfL are actively encouraging operators to prepare their fleets so that they can take this significant next step in achieving ultimate road safety. As the new requirements become mandated from 28 October, fleets will be able to make use of a wide range of safety enhancing equipment, including MOIS, BSIS, CMS, audio warnings and signage.
Since the features of PSS have been developed to warn drivers of the presence of vulnerable road users and alert road users of the vehicle itself, their implementation will not only help protect all road users but will also significantly improve the driver’s confidence when travelling through greater London.
With the changes set to affect an estimated 216,000 trucks across the UK, according to TfL, HGV drivers will be able to utilise the latest telematics systems to elevate general road safety in Greater London. Furthermore, should the new legislation successfully decrease road incidents and fatalities involving HGVs, we may see it come into effect in other large cities, pushing the industry to review and optimise all its existing safety measures to make travelling through UK’s roads safer for all.
Author: Paul Lawrence, Managing Director, AddSecure UK.
