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Free blind spot mirrors 'are good value'
Page 17
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HANDING OUT free, blindspot-reducing 'Fresnel Lenses' to foreign LGV drivers has reduced the number of side-swiping incidents involving left-handdrive trucks on UK roads by 59%, according to the Department for Transport (DfT).
Following its recent pilot scheme in which 40,000 of the windowmounted lenses were distributed free to drivers of left-hookers entering the UK across the Dover Straits, the DfT is paying for a further 90,000 lenses to be handed out at UK and French ports.
Last week CM was at a rainswept Ashford Truckstop to see Highways Agency and Vosa officials handing out free lenses to foreign drivers.
The DfTevent was also attended by Road Safety Minister Jim Fitzpatrick whosaid:"Side-swi ping is an issue we are determined to tackle."
There were more than 400 sideswiping incidents involving foreign LGVs in the UK last year; the free lenses are helping Continental drivers spot cars in the blind spot around a left-hooker's offside (right) front axle and step-well.
Fitzpatrick claimed that handing out the £3 lenses represented "value formoney" when set against the cost to the NHS and road user,, of side-swiping incidents.