Pedestrian, cyclist and motorcyclist casualties in collisions with HGVs have halved since London introduced its Direct Vision Standard in 2019, according to new Transport for London (TfL) data.
TfL reports that an average of six fewer people have been killed and 21 fewer seriously injured each year since enforcement of the lorry safety scheme began, which reduces the number of blind spots in vehicles weighing over 12 tonnes. This equates to 19 fewer deaths and 62 fewer serious injuries between 2022 and 2024.
New data shows the number of people walking, cycling or motorcycling who were killed or seriously injured in collisions with HGVs has fallen from an average of 71 per year in 2017 to 2019 to 35 in 2024. TfL says this is a drop of more than one third, far greater than the 4.5% reduction across the wider road network.
The transport body strengthened its DVS requirements even further last year, with all HGVs over 12 tonnes required to have a three-star rating or fit Progressive Safe System measures to operate in Greater London.
Despite the improvement, TfL said further work is needed and it will continue monitoring collision trends.
Lilli Matson, TfL's chief safety health and environment officer, said: “Since we introduced London’s pioneering Direct Vision Standard dozens of lives have been saved, and hundreds of people whose families and friendships have not been shattered by the serious injury or death of a loved one.”
“Ensuring the safety of every Londoner is our top priority, and we are committed to our goal of eliminating all deaths and serious injuries from the capital’s roads.”
The safety permit scheme is supported by enforcement activity with police and TfL teams checking that required equipment is fitted and working.
Direct vision requirements have now been incorporated into EU vehicle safety rules, which the European Commission expects could save 25,000 lives by 2038.
TfL has recently launched two campaigns to address road safety challenges across the capital, including a campaign aimed at reducing road danger for cyclists and motorcyclists by urging drivers to ‘take another look, not a life’.
