Direct Vision (DVS) is part of the government’s Vision Zero plans to eradicate serious injuries and fatalities on the capital’s roads by 2041. The current standard legislation introduced by Transport for London (TfL) in 2019 and enforced in March 2021 states that all vehicles over 12 tonnes must obtain a safety permit when travelling through or operating in Greater London.

It’s a scheme that aims to tackle road dangers at source by minimising HGV blind spots that contribute to life-changing injuries and deaths. Originally intended to commence in October 2020, it was put back because of the challenges operators faced during the global pandemic.

How the Existing DVS Rating System Works

Under the DVS system, vehicles are given a rating of one to five stars, which corresponds to the level of visibility enjoyed by the driver through the cab windows. It determines the risk presented to vulnerable road users, like pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists in the vicinity.

When an HGV has a rating of 1 to 5, it’s possible to obtain a permit upon application. However, if it has a zero-star rating, a ‘progressive safe system’ must be fitted by the vehicle operator, with evidence of its installation provided when applying for a DVS permit.

Those looking to request a DVS rating for their vehicle should contact their manufacturer, quoting the chassis number (VIN) for existing trucks.

What Is a Progressive Safety System (PSS)?

So, what exactly is a PSS and how does it help to protect vulnerable road users? It’s made up of a series of components that help to provide all-round visibility. The systems used vary from truck to truck, however, they typically include:

• Camera Monitoring Systems (CMS) to provide drivers with a wider field of vision, eliminate blind spots & reduce cognitive workload.
• Audible Vehicle Alert Systems (AVAS) to warn of intended manoeuvres
• Moving-Off Information Systems (MOIS) fitted to the front of the truck to prevent frontal blind zone collisions
• Sensors to offer nearside protection for rigid trucks to prevent left-turn collisions
• Side under-run protection on both sides of the truck
• Prominent pictorial warning signage
• Class V & VI mirrors

Since DVS rules were brought into place, the permit scheme and the utilisation of PSS equipment have helped to reduce serious injuries on London’s roads by 64%. During this time, more than 250,000 permits have been issued and 151,000 zero-star-rated vehicles retrofitted with the appropriate equipment.

What’s Changing in Phase 2 In October 2024?

When DVS was first introduced in 2021, this was phase one of the scheme. Phase two is set to arrive on the 25th of October 2024, ushering in some significant changes to further protect vulnerable road users. So, what can we expect to see when the changes come in next year?

There are a couple of major changes that you need to be aware of:

• The minimum safety rating for all HGVs exceeding 12 tonnes entering and operating in Greater London is being raised from one to three stars.

• To obtain a permit, vehicles with a star rating of zero, one or two must provide evidence that the necessary PSS has been installed and is in full working order.

The number of vehicles affected  – and needing to install a PSS – from the existing fleet of vehicles operating in London is estimated to be approximately 165,000, equating to 90%.

Driving Down Needless Road Traffic Accidents

Every serious injury and fatality on the UK’s roads is a tragedy, and Greater London’s DVS rules help to drive down needless road traffic accidents. At Insite, we’re totally behind the scheme itself, as well as moves to tighten the rules in 2024, as anything that’s proven to protect people and save lives is worthwhile.

We continue to do our part to ensure vulnerable road users are protected by providing industry-leading, scalable HGV licence acquisition programs that have safety considerations at their core. Suitable for any size of need, our services help businesses circumvent the ongoing driver shortages with training provided by some of the most experienced and skilled instructors in the sector.

To understand more about us and how we do things, take a minute or two to browse our website, where you’ll find everything you need to know. Alternatively, to talk with us directly about how we can help you, simply click on ‘contact us’ or give us a call on 0330 818 8888, where our friendly experts are waiting to assist you in any way they can.

After government figures showed that lorries on the UK’s roads have the highest number of road fatalities per passenger mile compared to other vehicles, there has been a call from fleet management experts Venison Automotive Solutions for a review of HGV safety measures by operators ahead of stricter Direct Vision (DVS) rules that come into force next year.

The company has said that HGV operators need to do everything they can to reduce the risk to road users by tightening current safety and compliance checks.

“Operators Who Implement Daily Checks Reduce Road Risks”

As part of London Mayor Sadiq Khan’s Vision Zero initiative – which aims to eliminate all serious injuries and deaths caused by road collisions in London by 2041 – current DVS rules came into force in March of 2021, and they’re set to become stricter from October 2024.

The rules dictate that all new vehicles over 12 tonnes must have a three-star rating or be equipped with a range of safety systems. Speaking on the matter, Venison Automotive’s client management director, Simon Staton, said…

“TfL’s new HGV permit scheme, which focuses on maximising how much the driver can see directly through the vehicle’s cab windows of the area around the vehicle where collisions are most likely to take place, will go some way in reducing avoidable collisions.

Commercial fleet operators who communicate well with their drivers and implement daily checks to increase safety can go a long way to reducing their road risks.”

“A Company Must Be Able to Prove It’s Taken All Necessary Precautions”

Staton went on to say that all HGV drivers are legally responsible for the vehicles they drive and should carry out basic roadworthiness checks daily or at the start of each shift. He also stated that this should extend beyond the capital, with operators nationwide needing to focus more on daily safety requirements.

He continued, “The economy is placing significant pressure on fleet operators and drivers, but safety cannot afford to slip through the net, and every city in the UK needs to be safeguarded. In the event of an accident, a company must be able to prove that it has taken all necessary precautions to ensure that their vehicles remain in the safest possible condition.”

Working Hard to Make the UK’s Roads Safer

The fact that HGV drivers’ involvement in road collisions is higher than the average is an obvious cause for concern. As such, we’re behind all moves to achieve safer roads in the UK, and it’s why checks and compliance play a central role in all our training courses. The safety of all road users is of paramount importance and is reflected in everything we do.

At Insite, we offer industry-leading, scalable HGV licence acquisition programs via our network of more than 60 training centres across the UK. Staffed by some of the most experienced and skilled instructors in the country, we’re well-placed to help businesses of all sizes mitigate the impact of driver shortages. To learn more about us and how we work, please take a moment to browse our website. Alternatively, to speak to us about how we can help you, click on ‘contact us‘ or give us a call on 0330 818 8888, where our experts are waiting to assist.

The Road Haulage Association (RHA) has expressed deep concerns after a recent survey in which it was found that fewer than half of UK coach and lorry operators were satisfied with the condition of the ‘A’ roads and motorways in England.

Surveying over 1,000 logistics and coach operators, the Transport Focus poll uncovered the fact that just 49% were satisfied with England’s road network. That said, this represents a 3% increase on the same study last year when just 46% indicated satisfaction.

Just 8% Believed Rest Stops Delivered Value For Money

As part of the same study, only 22% deemed that the flow of information relating to overrunning roadworks was ‘good’, and just 8% believed that rest stops offered value for money. The feedback about the day-to-day management of National Highways’ roads, however, was better.

60% rated it as good, but those asked stated that they would like to see the duration of roadworks reduced and carried out in smaller ‘chunks’. Furthermore, it was felt that incidents could be cleared more rapidly than is currently the case.

‘Greater Priority On the Experience of Users is Needed’ – RHA

The RHA put out a statement in regard to this report, calling for a need to place greater priority on the experience road users receive in England. The statement reads…

“With 79% of freight moved on our motorways, road freight plays an irreplaceable role in our supply chains. Reliable and predictable journeys are essential for our productivity and economic growth.

Increased satisfaction measures on the issues most important to users, including improved road surfaces; better information about roadworks, unplanned disruptions and unplanned delays should be monitored and evaluated”.

Speaking on the matter, Transport Focus chief, Anthony Smith, had this to say..

“While it is good to see some improvement in the overall rating of the survey, it is clear that more needs to be done to meet their needs. We’ll continue our work with National Highways to keep these issues a priority and get the improvements needed.”

The UK’s Road Network Must Be Fit For Purpose

The report created by Transport Focus has highlighted the work that needs to be done to ensure England’s road and motorway network is fit for purpose. Without a robust road system and rest stops that meet the everyday needs of HGV drivers, the job of building a resilient supply chain in the UK will that much more challenging.

As these matters play out, the Insite will carry on doing what we’re best at – offering leading, scalable HGV licence acquisition programs across the country. Able to meet any size of need, our national network of 60+ training centres allows us to help businesses circumvent the ongoing issue of driver shortages.

To find out more about how we do things, please take a minute to browse our website. Alternatively, to talk with us directly about how we can help you, click on ‘contact us’ or call on 0330 818 8888, where our friendly experts are waiting to give you the information you require.

A new report has been published by business group Logistics UK in which it is said that the current apprenticeship levy system is ‘flawed’. The report calls for a radical overhaul of the existing setup if businesses paying in are to be able to train new recruits with these funds.

According to Logistics UK’s Skills Review, there’s a real keenness across the sector for taking on new apprentices. However, over the past ½ decade, just 4% of levy-paying employers found it possible to fully utilise the available funds.

It’s ‘Unacceptable’ That Just £250m of £825m of Funds Were Used

Talking about the glaring disparity, Logistics UK deputy director of policy Michelle Gardner expressed shock at the findings, saying…

“Our latest report found that the total estimated amount of funding possible to be recovered by businesses in transport and logistics since the levy was introduced was £250m. However, during the same period, the sector paid £825m in levy funds.

This is unacceptable – especially considering the current economic climate – and highlights the urgent need to overhaul the Apprenticeship Levy, especially if the industry’s long-term skills shortage is to be resolved. With 68% of respondents to Logistics UK’s survey interested in taking on apprentices, it is clear the demand across the industry to support growing talent is there, but the current system is fundamentally flawed.

Traditionally, there have been many barriers to entry for candidates and businesses, such as minimum skills requirements and minimum duration of the apprenticeship – many of which do not apply to logistics roles – as well as restrictive business size specifications which prevent further uptake of the training scheme.

“Since 2021, Logistics UK has been highlighting to the government the need for the current system to be replaced with a more flexible Training Levy to enable realistic training and development programmes for new recruits.

The industry itself is working hard to fill skills gaps and introduce the next generation of workers to the sector – via initiatives such as Generation Logistics – however, it is now vital that government respond accordingly to remove the barriers and ensure a continued skilled workforce is available to keep the UK economy supplied with everything it needs.”

Barriers to HGV Skills Training Must Be Mitigated

With a clear desire in the HGV industry to take on more apprentices but a fraction of the available levy system funds available being taken, there’s an obvious disconnect. As such, we’re fully behind the calls made by Logistics UK for moves to improve the current situation, whether by amendments or a radical overhaul – whatever improves access to funds.

In the meantime, the Insite team will continue to deliver leading HGV licence acquisition programs via our network of 60+ national training centres. Scalable to meet the needs of both small businesses and large-scale operators, we’re here to help you combat the ongoing shortage of skilled HGV drivers in the UK.

Please browse our website to understand more about us and how we work. Alternatively, to speak to us directly about how we can help you, click on ‘contact us’ or call 0330 818 8888 where our friendly experts will be happy to discuss your needs.

According to Network Rail statistics, 1,833 bridge strikes occurred during the 2021-2022 financial year, representing a jump of 209 incidents compared to the preceding 12 months. In relation to this worrying statistic, the Road Haulage Association (RHA) has suggested that the recently reintroduced HGV levy should be used to improve low-bridge signage.

The road transport association added that hauliers wanted to know where their money is going to counter the feeling that it’s simply disappearing into a ‘Treasury Black Hole’. It also stated that some of its members have complained about poorly located, obscured and badly maintained signs that greatly contribute to the worsening problem.

Back After a 3-Year Suspension

After being suspended back in 2020 to aid pandemic recovery, the HGV levy has returned after what amounts to a 3-year suspension. As such, operators of vehicles of 12 tonnes and over must now pay between £150 and £749 per truck. The RHA believes that rolling the levy out again right now is badly timed, as firms are already reeling from spiralling fleet costs.

The RHA also feels that firms impacted by those increases will see it as a stealth tax, however, when speaking about these issues, RHA Managing Director, Richard Smith, recommended any funds generated by its reintroduction should be allocated to combat bridge strikes and badly maintained roads. He stated:

“Poorly maintained roads are a blight to all of us. They lead to collisions and damaged vehicles and cause unnecessary delays, which increase emissions and journey costs. Why not use levy funds to improve road surfaces which would benefit everybody?

Better road infrastructure is a priority for us. Hauliers are key economic enablers and are now contributing even more again through the levy. We have to accept it’s back, but firms will want to see where their contributions are going.

We urge ministers to pledge Levy money for much-needed infrastructure programmes. It would go some way to reassuring operators and makes wider economic sense”

Bridge Strikes Need to Be Prevented & Roads Maintained

However it’s funded, we are fully behind plans to improve the condition of the UK’s road network and reduce what are eminently preventable accidents. Naturally, the reintroduction of the HGV levy will hit already stretched hauliers hard, but if it must be brought back, spending the funds generated on important issues like these seems logical.

No matter which way this particular story goes, the Insite team will continue to do what it does best – offering industry-leading, scalable HGV licence acquisition programmes. Thanks to our huge nationwide network of 60+ training centres staffed by some of the most experienced and talented instructors, we’re well-placed to meet any need.

To learn more about us and what sets us apart from our competition, please browse our website, where you’ll find everything you need to know. Alternatively, to talk to us directly about your training needs, click ‘contact us‘ or call 0330 818 8888, and our team will be delighted to discuss your requirements.

At a time when HGV driver well-being and safety are under increased focus, we regret to bring you sad news about a recent death of a driving professional during the course of their work. As such, a coroner has issued a safety alert regarding the coupling and uncoupling of trailers to tractor cabs as an HGV driver was killed in a rollaway incident in Cheshire.

When working via an agency for haulage and warehousing firm 3D Cabs in November of 2021 in Widnes, David Lyth became trapped as his trailer started to roll back. The driver put out his arms to stop the movement but was subsequently pinned between two HGV trailers. Unresponsive when found, Mr Lyth’s death was later confirmed at Whiston Hospital.

Earlier Complaints About Faulty Air Cables

The incident occurred at 10.50 pm on Tuesday, November 30th, leading to police being called to the site on Gorsely Lane, Widnes. Reports coming from the incident state that the driver had earlier complained of an issue with his vehicle’s air cables before being instructed to collect a new replacement trailer from 3D Trans Ltd’s yard.

However, during the coupling process, the trailer unexpectedly rolled backwards, resulting in the asphyxiation of the driver. Consequently, the coroner at the heart of the story, Cheshire’s assistant coroner Charlotte Keighley, has written to 3D Trans, demanding that steps be taken to prevent further deaths during the coupling and uncoupling of lorry trailers.

Not the First Incident For 3D Trans

During the course of her investigations, Keighley found that this wasn’t an isolated incident for 3D Trans. In fact, there had been four previous rollaway incidents for the company, two of which occurred after the death of Mr Lyth. In the letter sent to both the haulage operator and the Health & Safety Executive, Keighley stated:

“I acknowledge that these incidents involve different circumstances and that only one resulted in a fatality. I received evidence that following each of the incidents, refresher training was provided, and various measures were put in place at the yard to physically prevent the vehicles or trailers from rolling away.

In addition to this, signage has been placed on the tractor and trailer units to serve as a reminder to drivers of the importance of securing the parking brakes on the tractor and trailer units. I have concerns regarding the provision of regular and periodic training for all drivers in respect of coupling and uncoupling procedures.”

The Safety of UK HGV Drivers of Paramount Importance

Much has been written about the need to improve safety for HGV drivers in the UK, and these incidents serve as an added reminder that there is still a lot of work to do. Not only is the safety of drivers in the UK of paramount importance, but when deaths occur, it negatively impacts external perceptions and makes it harder to attract people into the industry.

At Insite, it naturally always saddens us to hear news like this in the haulage sector. However, we’ll continue to impress the importance of safety to learners engaged in our industry-leading driver training via our 60 nationwide locations. Delivering scalable HGV licence acquisition programs to meet any size of need, we’re dedicated to maintaining safe practices.