Cycling campaigners are calling for new London safety measures to be rolled out across the UK as new HGV safety signs are installed across the city warning drivers of safety changes. 


Signs are being installed across London to remind drivers of imminent changes to safety standards for heavy goods vehicles (HGVs). From September, HGVs in London will be required to install extra mirrors and a sideguard designed to help prevent cyclists from being pulled under the vehicle. Any HGVs which do not comply with the guidelines will face a fine.

Safety campaigners are calling for the measures to be rolled out nationwide, in a bid to reduce the number of cyclists seriously injured or killed by HGVs on UK roads.

During 2015 alone, six cyclists in London have been killed in collisions involving HGVs. According to the latest statistics, 109 cyclists were killed UK-wide in road traffic collisions during 2013.

Tom Jones, head of policy at Thompsons Solicitors, said: “Six people have tragically lost their lives on London’s roads this year and these new safety measures are well overdue.

“We are optimistic that these statutory changes to HGVs will help better protect vulnerable cyclists in London, but it is important that cyclists across the rest of the UK are protected from HGVs too, We would advocate similar measures being put in place across the country.

“We have worked closely with cyclists who have been involved in devastating road traffic accidents, and urge the government to enforce measures across the whole of the UK which would better protect cyclists and help bring an end to the tragic loss of life on our roads.”