Today (1 September 2015) sees the start of the new Safer Lorry Scheme in London - and the Freight Transport Association is warning operators to make sure their vehicles comply or risk being fined.
 
The scheme will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and will require all vehicles over 3.5 tonnes to be fitted with sideguards, kerb view and front mirrors.  The enforcement area is the entire London Low Emission Zone and operators breaching the rules face £50 fixed penalties or £1,000 court fines.
 
Many newer vehicles already have the required mirrors and sideguards and some operators have already fitted them voluntarily. There are exemptions to the scheme, which has been introduced with the aim of improving safety for pedestrians and cyclists by giving lorry drivers a better view around their vehicles. Details of the exemptions can be found on the Transport for London website. https://tfl.gov.uk/info-for/freight/safer-lorry-scheme?intcmp=25660
 
The scheme will be enforced by the police, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency and the joint Department for Transport/Transport for London-funded Industrial HGV Taskforce.  Those who don’t comply will also be referred for investigation by the relevant Traffic Commissioner.