The Importance of DVS and Safety Compliance

Transport for London (TfL) is introducing changes to HGV legislation in and around the city that come into effect from 28^th October 2024. The Direct Vision Standard (DVS) requires HGVs over 12 tonnes that are rated two-stars or below to fit a new Progressive Safety System (PSS) to support the improvement of safety for vulnerable road users. So, is DVS worth it for you to apply?

The answer from a safety standpoint, of course, is ‘yes’. The introduction of DVS has seen a 75% decrease in fatal collisions in which vision was a contributing factor. Part of effective fleet management is making roads as safe as possible. Depending on your insurance company, the fact that your fleet is fitted with life-saving kit that decreases the severity of collisions can make all the difference when renewing your premiums. 

But equipping a fleet with new technology will always have cost implications and no fleet manager wants to increase their operational spend. However, for businesses that rely on London for business, there is little choice – pay up for installing new technology or face fines of £550 per vehicle per day. However, for fleets operating regularly outside England’s capital city, the decision is not quite as straightforward. That’s because in addition to price, a fleet manager also needs to consider installation costs and integration with existing equipment, as well as which vehicles are likely to find themselves inside the M25’s DVS boundary.

As an example, take a small freight company in Nottingham that receives an order for London every 4 months. Kitting out even 1 HGV with new DVS kit may well seem a waste of time and money for that level of business. Yet £550 fines for not meeting DVS compliance can certainly add up. Which means you have 3 options: 1) accept the order, but don’t install DVS and so risk losing money on the job, 2) invest in a DVS kit and see a return on your investment within two trips, or 3) lose the London business altogether and risk missing an opportunity for expanding your business.

London should not be the only consideration in this equation, either. Other major cities, such as Birmingham and Manchester, are often hot on TfL’s heels where safety directives are concerned. As a result, we can see DVS kits soon becoming the new standard up and down the UK. 

When all is said and done, DVS is the future of HGV safety in urban areas. It is also a cost-effective way of protecting vulnerable road users and drivers alike. So, even if it doesn’t feel like your fleet needs DVS at the moment, that could soon change.