Safer Roads as Left-hand Drive Lorries Required to Add "Fourth Mirror"
Thursday 10th May 2007
A new law requiring heavy goods vehicles to introduce blind spot mirrors - which would prevent "side sweep" incidents on Britain's motorways - has been approved by the European Parliament today in Brussels.
Timothy Kirkhope MEP, Conservative Leader in the European Parliament and Transport Spokesman, has campaigned for the mirrors to be made mandatory after British Police said a 'fourth mirror' would act as a cheap but highly effective way of cutting down on unnecessary accidents in the busy freight corridor.
Drivers in left-hand drive large goods vehicles can have a blind spot on the right-hand side of the lorry. The blind spot is between what the driver can see in his mirrors and what he can see out of the front window. This means drivers of left-hand drive heavy vehicles are sometimes unable to fully see what is alongside them before pulling out, resulting in a spate of 'side sweep' incidents.
Mr Kirkhope said:
"Local Police officers have told me how an extra blind spot mirror would significantly reduce the number of accidents involving lorries in the region.
"Many motorists will recall a lorry pulling out in front of them, or forcing them into another lane. The chances are the driver couldn't even see them in his conventional mirrors, and it is pure luck that a collision does not occur.
"This is a proposal that would cost hauliers a few pounds, but it will save a fortune in damaged vehicles and could save a few lives on south east roads."
ENDS
