Cyclist safety campaigner celebrates law change on lorry design

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【Summary】A new road safety law will be introduced in 29 countries, including the UK, requiring heavy-goods vehicles (HGVs) to be designed with larger windows to reduce blind spots and improve visibility for cyclists. The law change is a result of the See Me Save Me campaign led by Kate Cairns, whose sister Eilidh was killed in a collision with an HGV while cycling. The new regulation, to be implemented by 2029, is expected to save hundreds, if not thousands, of lives.

FutureCar Staff Sep 28, 2023 6:18 AM PT

Cyclist safety campaigner celebrates law change on lorry design

A campaigner has spoken of her pride that a new road safety law is set to be introduced in 29 countries, including the United Kingdom. The law will require heavy-goods vehicles to be designed with larger windows to reduce blind spots and improve visibility for vulnerable road users like cyclists.

Kate Cairns, the campaigner, shared her journey that began in 2009 after her sister Eilidh was killed while cycling to work in London. The incident occurred when Eilidh was hit by the driver of an HGV. The driver, Joao Lopes, pleaded guilty to a charge of driving with defective vision and received a penalty of three points and a £200 fine. Interestingly, Lopes had previously been jailed in 2012 for causing the death of a 97-year-old pedestrian while driving another HGV.

Since the tragic collision 14 years ago, Eilidh's family has been advocating for improved safety for cyclists around large vehicles through their See Me Save Me campaign. Now, with the upcoming law change, which will require new HGV designs to meet the Direct Vision Standard (DVS) from 2026 and all HGVs from 2029, Kate Cairns expresses her pride in knowing that countless lives will be saved in her sister's name.

The new rule will mandate larger windows in lorry cabs, enhancing visibility for vulnerable road users and reducing blind spots. Kate Cairns acknowledges the significance of this achievement and the impact it will have on road safety. She describes Eilidh as an amazing person and expresses her love for her sister, emphasizing the tragedy of losing someone with so much to give.

Kate, who works as a civil engineer, was astonished by the number of deaths caused by construction industry vehicles on UK roads. She recognized the stark contrast between the safety regulations and measures on construction sites and the disproportionate number of cyclist and pedestrian fatalities caused by these vehicles. Drawing from her professional expertise, Kate felt compelled to create change within her industry and address the issue of blind spots around vehicles.

Kate's dedication to the cause has led her to become a professional speaker, trainer, and advisor in construction logistics, focusing on managing the risk of collisions. She firmly believes that these incidents are not accidents but rather crashes that can be avoided and prevented. Through her training, she empowers participants, educates them, and equips them with the knowledge to implement changes and prevent collisions.

In 2019, it was revealed that a woman falsely claiming to be Eilidh's aunt was speaking out against a cycleway on the route where Eilidh lost her life. Kate clarified that no such relative exists and emphasized the importance of accurate representation and information.

According to the Department for Transport's casualty statistics for 2021, 40% of reported cyclist casualties involving an HGV resulted in the rider being killed or seriously injured. In contrast, only 0.4% of collisions involving a car driver resulted in a fatality. These statistics highlight the urgent need for improved safety measures and regulations surrounding HGVs and their interaction with cyclists on the road.