Transport for London (TfL) has published world-first research, which proves that having direct vision from the cab of a lorry rather than relying on mirrors and monitors has a substantial impact on improving road safety for pedestrians and cyclists.

The findings have been published as TfL launches the first consultation into the use of its world-first ‘zero to five star’ Direct Vision Standard for HGVs operating in the Capital. The 12-week consultation runs until 18 April and aims to identify how the new Standard can be best used to reduce road casualties on London’s roads.

Under the Mayor’s plans, the most dangerous HGVs will be banned from London’s streets entirely by January 2020. These HGVs, often ‘off-road’ lorries, would be ‘zero-star rated’ by the Direct Vision Standard – determined by the level of vision the driver has directly from the cab. By setting out their plans now, TfL expect many dangerous lorries will be upgraded before the restriction on the most dangerous HGVs comes into place in 2020.

Recent data shows that HGVs were involved in 22.5 per cent of pedestrian fatalities and 58 per cent of cyclist fatalities on London’s roads in 2014 and 2015, despite only making four per cent of the miles driven in the Capital.

As part of the new research, a simulator was used to replicate a real-life driving situation for the first time, and it showed that the amount of direct vision a driver has could be a crucial factor in allowing a dangerous collision to be avoided. The study showed that drivers respond, on average 0.7 second slower when checking blind spots and monitors compared to directly through the windows. This delay can result in a lorry travelling an extra 1.5 metres before seeing a nearby road user, enough to cause death or serious injury.

TfL and the Greater London Authority are leading by example and will include the new Direct Vision Standard in new contracts from April. This will help further stimulate the market for safer lorries with improved direct vision.

Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London, said: “This new research being released today shows how important it is we take bold action to address dangerous and poorly designed lorries operating in the Capital. HGVs with poor vision of cyclists, pedestrians and other road users from their cabin should simply not be allowed on London’s roads. Every time someone is killed by a lorry on London’s roads it is an appalling tragedy.

“Our ground-breaking Direct Vision Standard will be the first of its kind in the world, and TfL will lead by example by not using any zero-star lorries in its future supply chain.

“By continuing to work closely with industry, and beginning our first consultation now, we’re confident that many of the most dangerous lorries on London’s roads will be upgraded before our ban comes into place.”

Leon Daniels, Managing Director of Surface Transport at TfL, said: “Removing lorries that are unsuitable for London’s busy roads will improve road safety for all. Our Direct Vision Standard will be key in this and by continuing to engage with the freight industry it can begin to have a positive effect now.

“This won’t just increase safety, it will improve how our streets are used. We now know that another benefit of being able to make eye contact with a driver is that it makes pedestrian and cyclists feel safer, and this feeling can make our streets nicer places to live in and visit.”