Joe Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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Question 160: To ask the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the call made by a recent inquest in Dublin into the death of a cyclist for a review of blind spots in cabs of articulated trucks which can prevent drivers from seeing cyclists and pedestrians; if he intends to ask the industry to undertake such a review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26987/04]

Ivor Callely (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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I am aware from the media reporting of this inquest of the jury's recommendation concerning a review by the freight industry of blind spots around high vehicles. Last month the Irish Road Haulage Association, the National Safety Council and the National Council on Ageing and Older People launched a joint safety campaign targeting HGV drivers and vulnerable road users, particularly older pedestrians. The aim of the campaign is to highlight the existence of danger zones or blind spots around trucks.

Developments at EU level will result in new HGVs having to comply with higher standards in relation to the fields of vision of drivers. In November 2003, the EU adopted Directive 2003/97/EC, which provides for an extension of the field of vision so as to address the issue of blind spots. The directive harmonises the rules relating to the type-approval of devices for indirect vision, including mirrors and cameras-monitors, on motor vehicles and of vehicles equipped with these devices.

The directive requires all new heavy goods vehicles and buses entering into service from 26 January 2007 to meet the revised standards for field of vision set in the directive. Subject to practical engineering constraints and the agreement of the European Commission, it is my intention, when implementing the directive, to require existing vehicles of the types covered by the directive to be retrofitted with the necessary mirrors and/or cameras and monitors.