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….In 2009, LGV’s were responsible for the death of a total of 13 cyclists in London alone…
Commercial Vehicle Mirrors continue to be problematic especially relating to visual conspicuity within close proximity of the vehicle. The issue has been identified as a major source of casualties within urban and City Centre areas.
The problem has escalated in recent years across the whole of the UK with the proliferation of motor cycles, cyclists and pedestrians moving in close proximity of both large Commercial vehicles and Buses within structured traffic systems including pedestrian crossings.
The problem is twofold and initially considers the dimensions of the vehicle in question and the unique manoeuvres a driver must perform to turn into a junction this can lead to a pedestrian or cyclist in close proximity to the vehicle being caught out and unable to avoid contact by rear wheels of the goods vehicle or coach.
The second problem relates to the mirrors themselves.
An observer of a goods vehicle will see a variety of mirrors, as many as seven, located around the cab area of the vehicle located strategically to assist the driver with this problem.
Mirrors fitted to goods vehicles, subject to certain exemptions must be compliant with Directive 2007/38/EC.
The changes introduced within the Directive were brought about to improve and assist the driver however changes in the radius of the convex mirrors also brought about additional problems concerning spherical aberration causing distortion of an image so significantly that it can become unrecognisable.
This problem manifested itself in a recent Trial at Hamilton Sheriff Court (28/10/13) where a driver was charged with two counts of causing death by careless driving. The incident was initially investigated by the Police and a further investigation was undertaken by Mr Kevin Taylor a Road Traffic Consultant acting on behalf of the Defendant.
The Court heard evidence of two elderly pedestrians making their way across a pedestrian crossing in front of a line of standing vehicles including the defendant’s articulated lorry.
As the lights changed the lorry moved forward. The Prosecution indicated that the driver was at fault however after the submission of evidence by Mr Taylor to the Court expressing concerns regarding the visibility and view the defendant would have of the pedestrians using the Class VI Security Mirror the Jury hearing evidence acquitted the defendant of all charges on a majority verdict.
There is no doubt that the problem will continue to occur as has been demonstrated in a recent BBC National news feature (26/11/2013).
Authored by Mr Kevin Taylor BSc(Hons) MITAI MIMI, KNC Forensic Accident Investigation Services
Published Article:-
