§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what statutory requirements or guidance exists regarding speed and distance limitations for reversing heavy goods vehicles involved in road maintenance or repair work.
§ Mr. KeyThere are no statutory requirements governing the speed or distance of reversing vehicles. However, the highway code says that drivers should reverse with care, and if they cannot see clearly, they should get someone to guide them. This is particularly relevant for large vehicles.
On road maintenance and repair work, as on other contract work, contractors are bound by health and safety legislation to assess the risk to staff and others of the work activities and to produce safe working procedures to minimise any risk. In certain circumstances, limitations may be placed under the contract on the distance which vehicles are allowed to reverse for operational reasons; and it is normal to have a maximum speed limit through the site.
§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he has taken to require heavy goods vehicles to be fitted with reversing alarms, reversing lights or be accompanied by a pedestrian look-out when reversing.
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§ Mr. KeyReversing alarms may be fitted as an aid to safety on heavy goods vehicles over 2 tonnes gross weight and to other categories of vehicles where the driver's vision might be obscured by the size or shape of the vehicle. Reversing lamps are permitted on all vehicles.
The prime responsibility for ensuring that reversing is carried out safely rests with the driver. The clear advice given in the highway code should be followed: drivers should reverse with care, and if they cannot see clearly, they should get someone to guide them.