Operators are reminded that the second EU directive – 2007/38/EC – on close-proximity and wide-angle mirrors comes into force on 31 March. It requires all commercial vehicles over 3.5 tonnes, first registered after 1 January 2000, to be retrofitted with compliant blindspot mirrors or cameras.
Compliance with the directive is initially
by operators completing a self-certification form, available from VOSA, which must then be submitted at the next annual test.
If you are unsure whether or not the mirrors on your vehicles comply with the new regulations, you should contact your vehicle supplier.
A number of major manufacturers, including DAF, Scania and Volvo, are already running specific blindspot mirror retrofit programmes, as well as providing simple devices to check the curvature of existing mirrors on your trucks to see if they meet the new regulations.
There is also a useful website where operators can quickly find out if their existing vehicles already have mirrors that comply with the new regulations.
To use the site, you will need to enter the chassis numbers of your trucks.
Commercial Motor conducted a comprehensive blindspot mirror test ('Mirror, Mirror', CM 24 July 2008) that looked at the new mirror requirements, as well as the additional vision provided by devices such as the Dobli mirror, TV monitors and fresnel lenses. For back copies, call 01371 851800.
Reed Business Information Limited.©2009
