Friday 05 September 2014
Guernsey Press Enquiry:
I had a media enquiry relating to the fatal accident at Salarie Corner last year.
An article was recently published in The Times regarding a new European law which has approved changes to safety rules for lorries.
The changes will mean a change to lorry design through limiting blind spots, having larger windows, ensuring an inbuilt crumble zone and a rounded front to ensure anyone who is hit is pushed to the side and not dragged under the wheels.
I know the Environment Department in Guernsey have proposed changes to the law which could help eliminate bling spots on lorries and heavy goods vehicles, following the death of a cyclist on Salerie Corner.
Do you know if and when these changes will be implemented?
Would the department consider introducing similar legislation to the new European laws?
If so, how long will this take and when will a report go to the States?
Environment Department Response:
Any changes in EU design criteria for the construction of heavy goods vehicles that will improve the safety of vulnerable road users are to be welcomed but it must be recognised that these latest proposals will only influence newly constructed vehicles coming onto the European market and is not intended, nor could reasonably be expected, to apply retrospectively to all existing vehicles of this type.
The Environment Department has previously advised that it will be reviewing existing local construction and use requirements for vehicles registered to be used on Island roads amongst its other road safety priorities. This may include measures to enhance external visibility from heavy goods vehicles and certain measures, such as affixing additional safety mirrors, could be applied retrospectively to existing vehicles in the Island.
Contact Information:
Karl Guille, Traffic and Transport Services Manager
Environment Department
Tel: 243400
