London’s lorry safety scheme halves vulnerable road user casualties

Serious collisions involving heavy goods vehicles and vulnerable road users in London have fallen sharply since the introduction of the city’s lorry safety rules, new figures reveal.

Analysis released by Transport for London (TfL) for Road Safety Week shows that the number of people killed or seriously injured while walking, cycling or motorcycling in crashes with HGVs has dropped from an average of 71 a year before 2019 to just 35 in 2024 – a reduction of around 50%.

The improvement is linked to London’s Direct Vision Standard (DVS), the first regulation of its kind globally, which rates lorries from one to five stars based on how much the driver can see directly from the cab without relying on mirrors or cameras. The scheme is designed to eliminate blind spots, a well-known factor in fatal and life-changing collisions.

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said the new numbers underline the impact of the policy:

“Making London’s roads safer for everyone is a key priority and I’m proud to see this new data showing that my Direct Vision Standard is helping to save lives in London. I’m committed to eliminating deaths and serious injuries from our roads as part of my Vision Zero Strategy.”

TfL estimates that, each year since enforcement began, six fewer people have been killed and 21 fewer seriously injured in incidents involving heavy lorries.

In 2023, the requirements were tightened further. HGVs over 12 tonnes must now either meet a minimum three-star rating or be equipped with a Progressive Safe System that brings older vehicles up to modern safety expectations. Compliance is enforced through the wider HGV Safety Permit Scheme, which supports the Mayor’s Vision Zero ambition to eradicate all fatal and serious road casualties by 2041.

London’s Walking and Cycling Commissioner Will Norman recently told Zag Daily that safer vehicle design is critical to protecting those outside the vehicle.“Every time we buy a new bus at TfL, it must meet enhanced safety standards, from speed-limiting technology to improved mirrors and other interventions,” he said. Asked whether London can realistically achieve Vision Zero, he added: “I hope it does. It’s an ambitious goal, but there should not be a target other than zero.”

This year’s Road Safety Week, organised by the charity Brake, focuses on the theme “Safe Vehicles Save Lives.”Brake’s chief executive Ross Moorlock welcomed the progress:

“Modern vehicle technology has the potential to transform road safety. We’re delighted to see TfL taking action to make vehicles safer, which is exactly what this year’s campaign is all about.”