The scheme assigns vehicles a star rating based on how much the driver can see directly through their cab windows in order to be able to drive in London.
In the first year of enforcement of DVS, 191,769 safety permits have been issued, including nearly 5,000 to 5-star vehicles, which provide the highest levels of direct vision. More than 112,000 0-star HGVs have now had safe systems fitted.
HGVs accounted for just three per cent of the overall miles driven in London from 2018-20, yet were involved in nearly half (41 per cent) of fatal collisions involving people cycling and 19 per cent involving people walking. This means that HGVs are five times more likely to be involved in a collision resulting in a fatality relative to their share of traffic.However, the overall number of serious injuries involving HGVs has fallen from 48 in 2017 to 17 in 2021. The first year of enforcement of the DVS and the HGV safety permit scheme has also seen a reduction in fatal collisions where vision is cited as a contributing factor. In 2021, there were a total of 11 fatal collisions involving HGVs and people walking or cycling. Of these, six fatal collisions occurred where vision was cited as a contributing factor. This compared to eight in 2020 and nine in 2019 where vision was cited as a contributing factor. The majority (four of the six) of fatal collisions in 2021 involved 0-star rated vehicles.
TfL is aiming to introduce tighter standards from October 2024 when the minimum DVS star rating will be 3 stars. All HGVs below three stars will need to feature a progressive safe system that will take into account new and emerging technology or safety equipment that was not available during the design of the current safe system. In anticipation of the tightened standards from October 2024, operators are already purchasing DVS compliant vehicles at three stars or above.
Christina Calderato, TfL's director of transport strategy and policy, said: "We are delighted that nearly 200,000 permits have been issued and want to thank all of the freight operators who have led the way in ensuring they only operate the safest lorries in London and across the UK.”