Europe-wide safety changes to HGV design
Research by Loughborough University has led to the creation of a new European standard for HGV design which will help prevent hundreds of people from being killed or seriously injured each year.
Adopted by over 29 countries, including every EU member state and Japan, the legislation means all new HGV designs have to meet the Direct Vision Standard (DVS) from 2026, and all HGVs from 2029.
The DVS requires significant changes to existing HGV designs that improve the ability of drivers to see cyclists and pedestrians directly, instead of relying on the use of six mirrors. It represents 13 years of work by the University’s Design Ergonomics Research Group into HGV driver vision and will vastly improve the safety of cyclists and pedestrians.
Road safety charities and those directly impacted by HGV collisions with vulnerable road users have praised the research behind the new DVS and believe it will ultimately save lives.
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