Initiative more than halves 'sideswiping' incidents

The South East has seen a 59% reduction in crashes since the distribution of 40,000 window-mounted lenses to eliminate blind spots on left-hand drive trucks entering the UK across the Dover Straits. The Highways Agency said it would now hand out another 90,000 of the Fresnel lenses at major ports in England and France in a further bid to cut sideswiping - when a lorry changes lane and strikes a vehicle travelling alongside.

Road Safety Minister Jim Fitzpatrick announced a rolling-out of the trial scheme during a visit this morning to the Channel Tunnel Lorry Park in Ashford, Kent.

Mr Fitzpatrick said: "Sideswiping is an issue we are determined to tackle. It's important that all truckers, whether from Britain or overseas, are able to use our roads safely. However, many drivers here don't realise that left-hand drive lorries can't easily see a car overtaking them on the right, such as on a motorway.

"This has resulted in more than 400 sideswipe incidents in 2006 alone. As well as being dangerous these incidents cause delays and congestion."

The new wave of 90,000 lenses will be distributed at ports in Liverpool, Hull, Newcastle, Heysham and Harwich, as well as at three ports in France.