HC Deb 07 November 2002 vol 392 cc461-2W
Helen Southworth

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what data is collated by his Department on the incidence of motorway traffic accidents involving left-hand drive heavy goods vehicles; and what proportion of accidents involved the vehicle changing lanes. [80210]

Mr. Jamieson

This information is not available.

Helen Southworth

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will commission research on safety aspects of the use of left-hand drive heavy goods vehicles on motorways, with particular reference to resolving problems resulting from their blind spots. [80209]

Mr. Jamieson

UK research into heavy goods vehicle visibility was used in preparing an amendment to the EU Directive on Rear View Mirrors. This will require new heavy goods vehicles over 7.5 tonnes registered within the EU to be fitted with a "close proximity" blind spot mirror on the passenger side. We believe that this will go a long way towards addressing safety concerns over blind spots with left-hand-drive HGVs operating on UK roads.