New 2024 Rules for Hauliers Working in London
From the 28th October 2024, new rules will be in place affecting any hauliers operating vehicles over 12 tonnes, in the London area. The Road Haulage Association (RHA) are currently campaigning to make these rules easier to comply with, for hauliers with an aging fleet, as they are anticipating a significant problems with supply chain in the capital city, which could affect the wider economy.
Transport for London’s (TFL) new ‘Direct Vision Standard’ rules will come into effect, and hauliers will need to ensure compliance, before the deadline, otherwise they will be forced to surrender the right to operate within London. As it stands, the new rules are causing a severe amount of uncertainty for any firms operating in London, especially smaller firms, where meeting these requirements on a budget is simply not feasible due to their highly challenging and costly nature.
It is universally agreed by all parties, TFL, hauliers and the RHA included, that keeping the public safe on UK roads is of the utmost importance. The RHA however, has concerns that the timescale for implementing these changes is unrealistic, amid doubts that enough available kit will be practical and affordable for firms to make the necessary changes to their existing fleet.
The RHA commented “The new rules are causing a lot of uncertainty for firms entering and operating in London and we’re campaigning hard to ensure our industry’s voices are heard.”
It’s no secret that the haulage industry has been under enormous strain in recent years, with operating costs rising almost 10%, before rises in fuel costs, and freight volumes decreasing by 10% too. Unfortunately, 450 haulage firms fell victim to rising costs, and closed their doors for the final time in 2023 – that's almost double the number of firms closing in 2022!
What do the new rules entail?
(Extract below taken from RHA website - New rules for hauliers operating in London from 28 October)
From the 28th October 2024, If you hold an HGV safety permit for a zero, one or two star rated HGV, it will expire.
HGVs rated below three stars will need to install the Progressive Safe System, from 28 October 2024. You can find full details of the Progressive Safe System in the RHA’s DVS Operator's guidance. A summary of the seven requirements that make up the Progressive Safe System is set out below. Blind Spot and Moving Off Information Systems that are retrofitted to your vehicle must meet the performance requirements in our PSS technical specifications, and not UN regulations directly. See Link below for Technical Spec
https://tfl.gov.uk/cdn/static/cms/documents/tfl-pss-technical-specification-mois-acc.pdf
Requirement 1: A Camera Monitoring System (CMS) must be fitted to the nearside of the vehicle, to eliminate the remaining blind spot at the nearside. A CMS can also be used as an alternative to fitting Class V and VI mirrors. TFL guidance states that an additional CMS does not need to be fitted where one already exists in the vehicle, or where the vehicle meets the standards set out in UNECE Regulations 151 and 159. This will apply where the same safety benefits are achieved, and may include a CMS fitted to replace mirrors, or as part of a Blind Spot Information System. TFL recommend that installers consider where to install cameras based on the size of blind spot that needs to be covered and to avoid causing an external projection that may encounter someone adjacent to the vehicle. In many cases, a mounting height above two metres may be appropriate, but installers should consider the context of the specific vehicle.
Requirement 2: Class V and VI mirrors, or a CMS that replaces the mirrors, or a combination of both, must be fitted to the front and nearside of the vehicle.
Requirement 3: A Blind Spot Information System must ensure full coverage down the nearside of rigid vehicles to detect vulnerable road users. They must not activate in relation to roadside furniture or stationary vehicles. This aims to prevent left turn collisions.
Requirement 4: A Moving Off Information System (MOIS) must be fitted to the front of a vehicle to warn the driver of the presence of a vulnerable road user and prevent collisions at the front blind spot zone when a vehicle moves off from rest.
Requirement 5: Side under- run protection must be fitted to both sides of the vehicle, except where this would not be practicable.
Requirement 6: Audible warnings must be fitted to provide an adequate warning to vulnerable road users when a vehicle is turning left, or right for left-hand drive vehicles. This makes sure that all vehicles can warn of an intended manoeuvre.
Requirement 7: External warning signage must be displayed on vehicles to provide clear visual warning of the hazards around the vehicle. TFLs operator's guidance sets out that this must be clearly legible. TFL recommend larger (at least A3) size signs where possible, recognising that may not be possible for all vehicle designs. Operators where larger signage is not practical should do what works best for their vehicle, while making sure that signage used is clear and legible.
