Innovative Trial Launched To Tackle SideSwiping Accidents

An innovative trial of magnifying window lenses to address 'sideswiping' accidents was launched today by the Road Safety Minister Stephen Ladyman.

The trial is being conducted by the Highways Agency, the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) and the Immigration Service and will see 40,000 stick-on Fresnel lenses distributed free of charge at Calais, Dunkerque and the Channel Tunnel terminal at Coquelles to the drivers of left-hand lorries coming into the UK.

Lorries have a blind spot along their passenger side, which can cause them to collide with cars when being overtaken. The Fresnel lenses will offer drivers of left-hand vehicles a wider field of vision through the passenger window, which is expected to cut the number of side-swiping incidents recorded in the south east.

Road safety Minister Stephen Ladyman said: "Side-swiping is an issue that we are determined to tackle. There were 1,164 sideswipe incidents in 2005. As well as being frightening and dangerous for those involved, such incidents can cause frustration, delays and congestion for other drivers.

"This innovative trial is designed to tell us more about how Fresnel lenses might improve lorry safety. I look forward to seeing the results in the spring."

The lenses will be handed out during December and a report will be published in spring 2007.