RETRO-REFLECTIVE MARKINGS ON HEAVY GOODS VEHICLES

That this House is concerned that the most recent road accident statistics show that in 2007 the number of fatal accidents involving heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) increased despite a drop in the overall number of accidents; notes that although HGVs make up just 5.7 per cent. of road traffic, they are involved in 15 per cent. of all fatal road accidents; recalls that a report commissioned by the Department for Transport concluded that fitting retro-reflective markings to the sides and back of HGVs increases conspicuity and reduces fatalities and that there is a cost-benefit to making this measure mandatory on all newly registered HGVs; understands the financial pressures currently facing the haulage industry, but notes that this measure would cost approximately 0.001 per cent. of the price of a new vehicle; is dismayed that despite an undertaking to introduce such a measure for all newly registered HGVs by 10 October 2009, under the draft statutory instrument published by the Department for Transport, only around five per cent. of newly registered vehicles will be required to have conspicuity markings; and calls on the Government to ensure that all newly registered vehicles and their trailers are fitted with conspicuity markings from that date, and to use the annual HGV test to enforce this measure.