The Automotive Blog

Lorries Face Ban Over New Cycle Safety Measures

London has become the first city in Britain to fine the drivers of HGVs not fitted with equipment like mirrors to protect cyclists.

From the 1st of September all lorries over 3.5 tons in the capital must now be fitted with guards at the side to help prevent cyclists being dragged under wheels in the event of an accident.

They must also have a special type of mirror that helps the driver see those riding bicycles or on foot.

Any that do not have the equipment fitted with the safety equipment may be issued with a £50 fixed penalty notice and operators could face a maximum fine of £1,000 at a Magistrates’ court.

The new rules for lorries will operate 24 hours a day and cover every road in the capital except motorways.

Most HGVs are already required to fit side guards, but lorries involved in the construction industry have been exempt from that requirement. Similarly, while new lorries must have extended view mirrors fitted, older HGVs have been exempt.

A Hi Vu Commercial Vehicle Fresnel lens press-fits inside the truck’s passenger side window, like a mirror, Hi Vu affords the driver a normal, (through the window) view of what’s close to his cab, not a reversed or inverted mirror image. That means the driver will assimilate any danger much faster and react far more quickly.

Due to a blind spot, drivers of trucks cannot see smaller vehicles or other vulnerable road users which are immediately next to the passenger side door of their HGV. These unseen road users can be hit if the truck changes lane in their direction.

For the low price of £9.99 + vat, a Truck Or Bus Fresnel Mirror Lens is an ideal addition to a HGV to the required guards and mirrors.

aide automotive can be contacted via email info@aideautomotive.com or by phone – 0115 8456471

Fresnel Lens is a clear, thin, flat plastic lens that is press fitted to a truck’s passenger door

Truck HGV Blind Spot Lens

A Hi Vu Fresnel lens press-fits inside the truck’s passenger side window and is held firmly in place by its own ‘peel-back’ self-adhesive.

The Fresnel lens provides an extra downwards view for the HGV driver so that at a glance he can see any vulnerable road user that might be hidden in the mirror blind spot, alongside his passenger door.

Unlike a mirror, Hi Vu affords the driver a normal, (through the window) view of what’s close to his cab, not a reversed or inverted mirror image. That means the driver will assimilate any danger much faster and react far more quickly.

Due to a blind spot, drivers of trucks cannot see smaller vehicles or other vulnerable road users which are immediately next to the passenger side door of their HGV. These unseen road users can be hit if the truck changes lane in their direction.

DVSA says, “Even the latest HGVs with a full complement of six mirrors, in compliance with the latest EU directive, still have blind spots to the passenger side which are large enough to hide a family saloon car. The solution is to fit a special Fresnel lens.”
VOSA has conducted trials which have proven that by fitting Fresnel lenses to vehicles, both the frequency and the severity of “sideswipe” accidents is reduced.

Truck Mirror Lens Benefits

Multi-Vehicle Use – Trucks, Vans, Bus, Coach, RVs (Recreational Vehicle), SUVs (Sports Utility Vehicle) and Hatch-Backs.
Low Profile, Smallest Footprint Lens, No Window Obscurity
The Only ‘Peel Back’ Self-Adhesive Fresnel Lens available
Multi-Positional Lens Fits All Vehicle Types (LHD & RHD)
Easy to install in seconds
Strong Adhesive surround ensures the lens will not easily peel off when passing through the doors rubber weather seal

aide automotive can be contacted via email info@aideautomotive.com or by phone – 0115 8456471

Fresnel lenses are now accepted by Transport for London