European Parliament’s approval for safer lorry designs

In April 2014, the majority of the European Parliament voted for new rules to make big lorries safer and more fuel efficient.

If national governments agree these changes, new lorries will have bigger windows and rounder fronts. The draft rules say “a new cab profile will also contribute to improving road safety by reducing the blind spot in the driver’s vision, including under the windscreen and to the side of the vehicle, which should help save the lives of many vulnerable road users”

The new design requirements of the lorry are likely to become compulsory after a transitional period.