As of the beginning of this week, the capital will begin banning lorries which do not have safety equipment installed in order to protect cyclists and pedestrians. This safety equipment includes side guards to help prevent cyclists from being dragged under the wheels, as well as a special type of mirror that helps the driver see cyclists and pedestrians.
Mercedes-Benz Actros
Lorries that do not have the correct equipment will be fined up to £1,000, and drivers who make repeat offenses will risk losing their operating licence entirely.
With the number of cyclists on the roads constantly on the increase, it is no surprise that authorities are putting more strict safety measures into place. Sky reports that seven out of the total eight cyclist deaths on our roads this year involved Heavy Goods Vehicles.
"It's very, very affecting. We are conscious that in encouraging cycling we have to make it safer and we think that over the past five years the safer lorry zone would have obviated about 12 deaths or serious injuries. Today's scheme will undoubtedly save lives," London Mayor Boris Johnson told Sky News.
The Mayor stated that cyclists also need to be more safety conscious: "Cyclists need to behave responsibly and they need to alert drivers to their presence."