The EUROCITIES Statement on the General Safety Regulation for direct vision standards is now out.

25,300 people lost their lives on European Union roads in 2017 and a further 135,000 were seriously injured. Close to 40% of these incidents occur in urban areas, and most involve vulnerable road users – pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists. Heavy goods vehicles are disproportionately responsible for fatalities of pedestrians and cyclists in urban areas, often because of poor cab visibility. This is a challenge that needs to be addressed with urgency. As part of the European Commission’s long-term goal of zero road fatalities by 2050, improved direct vision for heavy-duty vehicles (HDV) has rightfully been proposed to protect vulnerable road users.

EUROCITIES urges the European Union to adopt an ambitious approach to direct vision standards and ensure their swift implementation.