Reduction in Road Fatalities Reflects Industry’s Commitment

Business group Logistics UK is encouraged by Transport for London's announcement (TfL) that the Direct Vision Standard (DVS), that removes "blindspots" for HGV drivers, is succeeding in reducing the number of fatalities and serious injuries on the capital's roads. According to the trade association, the announcement shows how industry and policy makers can work together to improve safety for all road users and highlights the steps the sector is undertaking to continually improve. The data is published during Road Safety Week (16-22 November), and shows how in the six years since DVS was introduced, increasing cab visibility for HGV drivers has reduced deaths and serious injuries from collisions with HGVs by 50 per cent: the number falling from 71 people on average in 2017-2019 to 35 people in 2024.

Chris Yarsley, Senior Policy Manager - Road Freight Regulation at Logistics UK said: "Logistics UK and its members have worked hard to implement the DVS standard to increase cab visibility, and it is good news to see the material impact it is having. "The investment HGV operators have made to ensure their vehicles are compliant is not insignificant, especially for SME businesses, but shows their commitment to increasing safety for all road users. "Logistics UK supports the Mayor of London's Vision Zero plan to eliminate all deaths and serious injuries on London's transport network, and we are continuing to engage with TfL on DVS.

Vehicle safety continues to improve, and we are also working closely with manufacturers as they rollout safety equipment that complies with the new UNECE regulations that will improve the overall safety of vehicle fleets on the road." Logistics UK is one of the UK's biggest business groups, representing logistics businesses which are vital to keeping the UK trading, and more than seven million people directly employed in the making, selling and moving of goods. With decarbonisation, new technology and other disruptive forces driving change in the way goods move across borders and through the supply chain, logistics has never been more important to UK plc.

Logistics UK supports, shapes and stands up for safe and efficient logistics, and is the only business group which represents the whole industry, with members from the road, rail, water and air industries, as well as the buyers of freight services such as retailers and manufacturers whose businesses depend on the efficient movement of goods.

For more information about the organisation and its work, please visit logistics.org.uk

Transport & Logistics - Driving The Industry Forward