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Police safety checks in London reveal death-trap lorries on roads (8 January 2014)

Date: 08/01/2014
Duncan Lewis, Legal News Solicitors, Police safety checks in London reveal death-trap lorries on roads

Roadside checks initiated by the Metropolitan Police on London roads have revealed that two-thirds of lorries stopped for a spot check were being driven illegally or had defects.

The spot checks on traffic carried out by police monitoring London’s main roads was launched after a number of deaths among cyclists in London.

London Mayor Boris Johnson has said that London’s roads are safe for cyclists – but in the final months of 2013, cyclists were maimed or killed almost every week on main roads in London, some within days of each other.

Police officers have been standing on public highways visually monitoring traffic since last November and in the first two months of the initiative, 622 out of 821 lorries stopped failed basic road safety checks.

Police are monitoring heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) such as construction lorries – HGVs are known to have a blind spot where cyclists cannot be seen.

The area from the rear side of a lorry to the cab is especially dangerous if a cyclist is on the inside of the vehicle and the lorry driver decides to turn suddenly, without realising a cyclist or motorcyclist is present.

Cyclist campaign groups are calling for more open cabs on HGVs, with glass panels and doors enabling drivers to see cyclists, motorcyclists and pedestrians better.

Police checks on HGVs in the last two months have also revealed that only 24% of vehicles had been properly maintained and complied with safety practices such as correctly secured loads, proper insurance and the length of time drivers had been on the road without a break.

Police also found that just 32 lorries had mirrors and safety equipment on board – HGVs are required to be fitted with safety bars which prevent cyclists being dragged beneath the vehicle in the event of collision. HGVs are often responsible for fatal injuries in road traffic accidents involving cyclists and motorcyclists, who often end up under the wheels of a lorry or bus.

The police inspections have already resulted in 243 HGV drivers being fined for driving without a licence or for remaining behind the wheel for long hours with taking a rest break.

The fines also covered other lorry drivers found to have broken lights or be carrying loads not properly secured, as well as driving vehicles which had not been properly or regularly maintained.

A total of 14 lorries have been seized by police officers in the spot checks.

New legislation due to take effect in autumn 2014 will see drivers who drive into central London handed £200 fines if they fail to ensure their vehicles are properly fitted with safety equipment.

Some critics of London’s safety record for cyclists have called for HGVs to be banned from central London during peak hours. However, container lorries in London and HGVs are often delivering loads to supermarkets across the capital and any ban on lorries in peak hours may have an economic impact.

There have also been calls for more cyclists to wear safety helmets and stick to the Highway Code, as well as being more vigilant in heavy traffic and not listening to music while they cycle.

Duncan Lewis Road Traffic Accident Solicitors

Duncan Lewis road traffic accidents (RTA) solicitors can advise on injuries sustained in RTAs if another party – such as a motorist – was negligent and contributed to the accident.

Injury claims for RTAs fall under the area of law known as personal injury law. Duncan Lewis personal injury lawyers can advise on making a no win no fee claims for compensation using the Road Traffic Accident Claims Portal – which processes low-value claims for RTA injuries.

Duncan Lewis personal injury lawyers can also advise on making a compensation claim for catastrophic or life changing injuries sustained in a road traffic accident if another party was liable for or caused the accident.

For expert advice on making no win no fee road accident compensation claims, contract Duncan Lewis personal injury solicitors on 020 7923 4020.

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