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Victory for Lib Dems as MEPs approve life-saving changes to lorry designs

by Ian Shires on 16 April, 2014

The European Parliament has approved new rules to make big lorries safer for other road users and more fuel-efficient.

Under changes pushed by Liberal Democrat MEPs, the design of lorry cabs are set to be changed to reduce the number of blind spots under the front widescreen and the side of the vehicle. The new designs would also include safer cab fronts to reduce damage caused by impacts with cyclists and pedestrians. It is thought the proposal could help prevent dozens of fatal accidents each year.

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Liberal Democrat MEPs have met with a number of safety campaigners in Brussels and the UK over the past few years to discuss rules to improve lorry safety. Campaigners have included Olympic gold-medal winning cyclist Chris Boardman, See Me Save Me Campaign’s Kate Cairns, and Nazan Fennell from the ‘Live in Hope’ campaign.

Transport Spokesman Phil Bennion commented:

“Today’s vote is a victory for all the campaigners in the UK who have worked so hard to bring about these life-saving changes to lorry design.

This shows that when individuals engage with MEPs and the EU they can affect the outcome and bring about positive change.

With today’s strong backing from the European Parliament I am confident that we can push these reforms through in negotiations with national governments later this year.”

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