Mirror legislation gives drivers clearer vision

Date: Friday, April 17, 2009

All goods vehicles grossing at above 3.5 tonnes and first registered after 1 January 2000 must now be fitted with blind spot mirrors or equally effective aids to better vision on the passenger side.

The aim is to stop drivers hitting pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists simply because they failed to see them. The new rules came into force on 31 March as a consequence of 2007/38/EC; the EU’s Retrofitting of Mirrors Directive .

Another piece of legislation — the Supplementary Fitment of Mirrors Directive — has been part of European legislation for sometime. It means that most in-scope vehicles first used on or after 26 January 2007 are fitted with improved mirror systems conforming to the regulations.

While the new rules are aimed primarily at heavy trucks, a considerable number of large vans and light trucks are also caught in the net. Operators who are unsure whether their vehicles comply or not should consult the nearest franchised dealer representing the make concerned without delay.

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