RETRO-REFLECTIVE MARKINGS AND HEAVY GOODS VEHICLES

That this House notes that the rate of fatal accidents involving heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) remains high, causing 15 per cent. of all road fatalities, despite accounting for only 5.6 per cent. of UK road traffic; recognises that retro-reflective markings along the side and rear of HGVs have been proved to be an effective means of increasing HGVs visibility and reducing accidents and improving safety for hauliers and all other road users; applauds Reflect for its work on promoting the benefits of these markings; and calls on all haulage companies to sign up to a voluntary code of practice to fit retro-reflective markings on HGVs, prior to it becoming mandatory for newly-registered vehicles in June 2011.