A UK motorist has launched a petition demanding for a new law to oblige foreign lorries to be fitted with 'blind-spot lenses' after being involved in a horrific crash on the M20.
Ms Julie Hay was involved in a collision with a Polish lorry near junction 10 of the M20 at Ashford in Kent.
She believes that the accident could have been prevented had the driver been legally required to fit a stick-on plastic lens that widens drivers' field of vision in left-hand-drive vehicles.
The plastic blind-spot lenses are already handed out for free to all drivers with left-hand-drive vehicles when entering the country; however, drivers are not obliged to accept the lens when they enter, allowing many to refuse.
Foreign lorries make an average of 4,000 journeys into the UK every day. The petition set up by Ms Hay after her accident states that the lenses are inexpensive and quick to install, taking just a couple of minutes to fit to the existing mirrors. They open up drivers' field of vision, allowing them to see down the sides of the vehicle to spot cyclists, cars and other road users.
Speaking about the existing system of handing out lenses for free to those who wish to use them, Ms Hay said: "Very rarely are these lenses put in place by the driver as it is not a legal requirement, therefore, resulting in these large vehicles being a constant hazard for UK road users."
The Port of Dover, which issues the lenses and provides safety leaflets to drivers entering the UK, says it is committed to making Britain's roads safer and is currently engaged in a range of measures to improve safety.
A spokesman for the Port said: "The Port of Dover is committed to improving road safety wherever possible and does much to target international freight drivers moving goods throughout the UK."
Source:
Foreign lorry blind spot lens law petition launched (BBC News)
Leave a comment