Written question asked by Lord Bradshaw (Liberal Democrat), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Earl Attlee (Conservative) on Monday, 21 November 2011.

Transport: Lorries

Question: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Earl Attlee on 8 June 2010 (WA 33), what progress they have made in developing measures to increase the visibility to lorry drivers of pedestrians and cyclists; how they are encouraging fleet operators to improve visibility through physical measures and training; and what lessons they have learned from schemes such as the Crossrail lorry driver safety programme.

Answer: Improving safety for vulnerable road users is a shared responsibility. Department for Transport sponsored research on improving driver vision has recently been completed and will be published shortly. This evidence is being used actively in international negotiations to inform discussions on improving the requirements for mirrors on vehicles. Transport for London (TfL) has promoted a number of initiatives including working with cyclists and freight operators to improve safety. It has developed a theory and on-bike CPC driver training course on safe driving in London, has distributed 20,000 Fresnel lenses to lorry operators, and also run the freight operators recognition scheme. In addition it is promoting the use of vehicle technology such as sensors, and road safety education campaigns to raise awareness of the dangers of cyclists undertaking lorries at junctions.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 13435; 732 c212-3WA
Session: 2010-12
Related items: Cyclists: Deaths
Tuesday, 8 June 2010
Written questions
House of Lords
Subjects: Cycling Large goods vehicles Pedestrians Safety Roads
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk