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Handing out free, blind-spot-reducing 'Fresnel Lenses' to foreign LGV drivers has cut the number of side-swiping incidents involving left-hand-drive trucks on UK roads by 59%, according to the Department for Transport. Following its recent pilot scheme in which 40,000 of the window-mounted lenses were distributed free to drivers of left-hookers entering the UK across the Dover Straits, the DfT is paying for a further  90,000 lenses to be handed out at UK and French ports.

Last week CM was at a rain-swept Ashford Truckstop to see the Highways Agency and Vosa officials handing out free lenses to foreign drivers. The DfT event was also attended by Road Safety Minister Jim Fitzpatrick who said: "Side swiping is an issue we're determined to tackle." There were more than 400 side-swiping incidents involving foreign LGVs in the UK last year the free lenses are helping Continental drivers spot cars in the blind-spot around a left-hooker's offside (right) front axle and step-well.

Fitzpatrick claimed that handing out the £3 lenses represented "value for money" when set against the cost to the NHS and road users caused by side-swiping  incidents.