HGV task force wins safety award
London鈥檚 Industrial HGV Task Force has been recognised for its outstanding contribution to transport safety.
The task force was set up in October 2013 to reduce the number of cyclist fatalities caused by heavy goods vehicles (HGVs).
Figures showed that 53% of cyclist fatalities in London between 2008 and 2013 involved direct contact with an HGV.
The task force is made up of officers from the:
- Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA)
It鈥檚 funded by (TfL) and the Department for Transport.
Roadside checks
The police and DVSA have the power to carry out spot checks on commercial vehicles. They鈥檙e carried out to keep unsafe vehicles off the road.
The officers check that the driver and vehicle aren鈥檛 breaking any rules and regulations.
They have the power to issue:
- a prohibition, which stops the driver from driving until they get a problem with their vehicle fixed
- fixed penalties if the driver commits an offence
Find out more about roadside vehicle checks for commercial drivers.
Task force successes
In just under 12 months, the task force has:
- carried out over 360 roadside operations
- stopped over 3,000 vehicles
As a result, it has:
- issued over 1,500 roadworthiness prohibitions
- seized 41 dangerous vehicles
- led to 25 prosecutions
Outstanding contribution to transport safety
The is the oldest transport organisation in the world. The task force has been awarded its Royal Logistic Corps Safety Award for 2014.
The award ceremony took place on 10 March 2015.
The task force was recognised as the first permanent multi-agency team dedicated to targeting offences by the most dangerous commercial vehicles.
Working together to make roads safer
Road Safety Minister Robert Goodwill said:
I鈥檓 extremely pleased that the Industrial HGV Task Force and its contribution to transport safety have been recognised in this way.
The government is committed to improving the safety of cyclists and other vulnerable road users.
The task force proves that by working together we can make London鈥檚 roads safer for cyclists. The message to drivers and operators is simple: not complying with driver and vehicle standards isn鈥檛 an option.
Steve Burton, TfL鈥檚 Director of Enforcement and On-Street Operations, said:
We are honoured to accept such a prestigious award for the contribution and dedication the Industrial HGV Task Force has shown in ensuring road safety regulations are met by the construction and waste vehicle industry.
We know that non-compliant drivers and vehicles from these industries pose a safety risk to pedestrians and cyclists.
Guidance to stay safe
DVSA produces a range of vehicle safety and maintenance guides for operators.
Both lorry drivers and cyclists can minimise risks if they鈥檙e aware of each other and behave responsibly.
Watch TfL鈥檚 training video for lorry drivers and cyclists.