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Operators across the European Union (EU) will have to retrofit trucks registered in this decade with blind-spot mirrors by March 2009, after new safety legislation was approved by the EU Council of Ministers last week (June 25). Under the new Directive, "a retrofitting of existing heavy goods vehicles with blind spot mirrors could save more than 1,200 lives on European roads between now and 2020," according to the Council. It predicts that current cost of retrofitting mirrors "should in principle  not present a huge financial burden and is estimated at €100-€150 (£67-£101)".

The Council adds: "The Directive is aimed at improving the safety of vulnerable road users such as pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists, who are particularly exposed to dangers arising from the lateral blind spot, which lorries have on the passenger's side." Under existing EU law, new heavy-duty vehicles of more than 3.5 tonnes will have to be equipped with blind-spot mirrors from this year onwards.