Lawson West back the use of an Innovative Road Safely Lens

Lawson West, solicitors, back the Highways Agency Traffic Officers’ scheme to distribute magnifying window lenses, free of charge, to drivers of left hand drive lorries. This will help to reduce accidents and injuries caused by sideswiping where drivers of left hand drive vehicles cannot see other vehicles on their right hand side.

Latest statistics show that there are up to 500,000 left hand drive vehicles on the motorway and trunk road network. These vehicles have a blind spot along their passenger side so drivers cannot easily see traffic in the right hand lane or a car overtaking from the right. The Fresnel lens widen the field of view so reducing the blind spot and helping drivers see traffic on their right. The lenses are 450mm by 300mm and are self-adhesive.

A trial, distributing 40,000 lenses at the Eurotunnel and French ports and comparing data collected before the trial with data collected during the trial, showed that the number of sideswipes dropped by 59% during the trial period. This equates to 300 incidents annually, thus reducing serious injuries.

If you have been injured in a road traffic accident that wasn’t your fault, please contact Claire McGlynn on 0116 212 1000 for a free consultation.