East Mids Blind Spots To Go

12.00.00am GMT Wed 18th Feb 2004

East Midlands drivers will soon no longer have a blind spot, claims local Euro-MP Bill Newton Dunn. He today welcomed a new European standard that is set to ease the work of driving instructors and make our roads safer.

The 'blind spots' of vehicles are the areas outside that cannot be seen by looking at any of the drivers' mirrors. Almost all cars have a blind spot at some point, although it is more common on estate cars, vans and larger 4x4s. Now a new EU law is set to make the picture clearer.

Mr Newton Dunn says that from 2005 new vehicles used across Europe will be supplied with mirrors specially shaped to reduce the blind spot problem. The Liberal Democrat MEP explained that stronger requirements will be phased in over the next five years.

Additional mirrors will have to be mounted on new buses and lorries, while new cars must have rear view mirrors also fitted on the passenger side of vehicles. Some heavy goods vehicles will be supplied with cameras to give the driver a clear vision of the back and sides of the lorry.

Mr Newton Dunn commented: "Every driver knows the shock of being overtaken by a car that they hadn't even seen, and we all know the danger of reversing heavy lorries. This is a simple and sensible Europe-wide measure that will make things a little bit better for everyone."

The new standards have been developed by the European Commission, vehicle manufacturers and road safety experts.

Accidents due to 'blind spots' often happen when vehicles are changing lanes, or changing direction at crossings, junctions or roundabouts. When larger vehicles such as lorries or buses are involved these accidents frequently lead to serious injuries or even fatalities of vulnerable road users like pedestrians, cyclists or drivers of smaller motorcycles.

ENDS