MPA welcomes DVS clarification

Mineral Products Association welcomes further clarity on London HGV Direct Vision requirements

The Mineral Products Association (MPA) has welcomed the announcement of Transport for London (TfL) that critical information identifying the direct vision safety classification of HGVs is now available.

The MPA and member companies have been working with TfL and construction colleagues for several years to improve the safety of pedestrians, cyclists and other vulnerable road users through additional driver training, the fitting of additional vehicle safety equipment and buying safer lorries.

According to the Association, the Direct Vision Standard (DVS) will further incentivize the operation of HGVs with better driver vision and safety equipment, and more widespread vulnerable road user (VRU) safety training for drivers.

MPA chief executive Nigel Jackson said TfL had worked with industry to design a DVS that would allow existing HGVs to continue delivering essential materials, such as mineral products, if safety systems are operated, reflecting representations from the MPA and other organizations and companies committed to improving VRU safety.

‘It is critical that the detail of the planned safety system for HGVs and operators is consistent with the requirements of the Construction Logistics and Community Safety (CLOCS) initiative operated in the construction industry,’ he remarked. ‘We are confident that the combination of CLOCS and DVS will help to achieve the road safety improvements which the Mayor and Londoners want to see.’