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Bereaved parents tell government not hesitate in implementing EU lorry law

Mother of Eilidh Cairns says she is 'amazed, distressed and concerned' at government delaying on EU law...

The mother of Eilidh Cairns, who was killed in London by an HGV, was among a number of  bereaved parents who have called on the British Government to adopt safer lorries laws approved by the European Parliament.

On Tuesday we reported how the European Parliament overwhelmingly voted through legislation aimed at making lorries safer around cyclists and pedestrians, although it may be several years until any changes come into effect at national level.

Some 606 MEPs voted for the proposals, with just 54 voting against them and 12 abstentions.

They also rejected plans to make it easier for heavier and longer lorries, known as "mega trucks," to operate across national borders within the European Union.

Under the new laws, lorries will, have to have bigger windows and rounder fronts in an effort to reduce blind spots.

The UK government is not rushing to implement the changes however, saying it needs to perform more research.

Heather Cairns, who set up the See Me Save Me campaign following Eilidh’s death in an effort to prevent blind spots, told the Northumberland Gazette: “We are extremely pleased with the decision taken by the European Parliament, but I am amazed, distressed and concerned about the fact that the Secretary of State for Transport appears not to accept the ruling and says more work needs to be done.

“See Me, Save Me will continue to campaign for cycle safety.”

The father of Josh Jarvis, 21, who was killed in a collision with a cement mixer in Manchester in February, agreed and said: “Anything that improves road safety in this respect has to be a good thing, but perhaps they haven’t gone far enough. The British Government needs to take this seriously.”

Others have pushed for faster implementation. Jeannot Mersch, president of the European Federation of Road Traffic Victims, urged national governments not to waste time in putting the new rules into effect.

He said: "With today's vote the European Parliament has taken citizens' safety to heart. Thousands of lives are sadly lost and many more victims are severely injured in lorry crashes every year.

"Rounded, streamlined lorry cabs could help avoid hundreds of these deaths and injuries. The EU governments have a moral obligation to embrace this hugely beneficial decision. Weakening, delaying or blocking this decision would be unforgivable."

British Cycling's policy adviser, Chris Boardman, added: "This is another step towards creating an environment on the roads that accommodates the needs and safety of cyclists.

"Lorries are involved in almost one in five cycle fatalities in Britain and part of the problem is dangerous cab designs."

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8 comments

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A V Lowe | 9 years ago
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Why aren't you using the T&E diagram of the proposed design that truck has none of the features for safety.

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oozaveared | 9 years ago
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Ok I am not getting too excited. Lorries being sold today don't have these new features. They will be on the road for maybe 20 years. And the companies that have the money to invest are likely the well financed and well run ones that already employ the better drivers.

The real danger comes from the likes of skip lorries driven by people on too tight a schedule or piece work who just about qualify and employed by people that are only just in business and couldn't give a monkeys.

New technology is good but the fact is that complete numpties are driving old and badly maintained HGVs they make their money out of hitting tight schedules. The police don't pay them enough attention.

The new technology will be adopted by the likes of Stobarts and the proper legitimate logistics companies and they are not the problem.

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nowasps | 9 years ago
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Thank God the UK government are standing up to these Eurocrats, and their loony plans to put saving lives before profits.

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Airzound | 9 years ago
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PM Dave thinks he's a cyclist, but he isn't really so the status quo will continue. We had the farce of the pictures showing him cycling being followed by the ministerial jag  24

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Simon_MacMichael | 9 years ago
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Headline amended, thanks for pointing it out.

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Airzound replied to Simon_MacMichael | 9 years ago
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Still doesn't make sense. Should be "not to hesitate". Grammar fail.

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workhard | 9 years ago
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Worst headline ever on road.cc. Completely ambiguous.

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LauraQ | 9 years ago
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Please correct your headline as it suggests that the parents don't want the new law implemented - when what they actually want is for the Government to speed up implementation.

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