The FORS Standard version 7.1

Requirement

To ensure HGVs have enhanced safety equipment fitted to help protect vulnerable road users (VRUs).

Purpose

To minimise the probability and severity of collisions involving vulnerable road users.

Demonstration

FORS Operators shall ensure that all HGVs in fleet have enhanced safety equipment that reduce the risk of close-proximity collisions involving vulnerable road users.

Vehicles shall demonstrate enhanced safety equipment through one of the following four options:

1) Being rated to the Direct Vision Standard of 3-Stars or above, with the addition of:

• An audible warning system that alerts users of a left-turn and reversing vehicle manoeuvres.
• A camera system that monitors the rear vehicle blind spot.

2) Being fitted with the Progressive Safe System as part of the Direct Vision Standard.
3) Being fitted with safety equipment as part of the GSR (General Safety Regulations) 2 Standards, with the addition of:

• An audible warning system that alerts other road users of left-turn and reversing manoeuvres.
• Blind spot warning signage.

4) Being fitted with the enhanced safety equipment listed below:

• Blind spot vision aids.
• An audible warning system that alerts users of a left-turn and reversing vehicle manoeuvres.
• A camera system that monitors the rear vehicle blind spot.

Blind spot vision aids shall include:

• A camera system that monitors the nearside vehicle blind spot.
• An in-cab display screen to provide the driver with a view of the near-side blind spot.
• A close proximity sensor and driver audible alert system to alert the driver of other road users in the near-side blind spot.

For articulated vehicles, sensors used shall be suitably positioned on the tractor unit to provide sufficient coverage but preventing activation solely on articulation of the trailers.

Left-hand drive vehicles shall apply vision aids to account for the blind spot on the right-hand side of the vehicle instead of or in addition to those on the left-side.

Rigid goods vehicles 7.5 tonne and over gross vehicle weight shall be fitted with a camera system that monitors the rear vehicle blind spot.

An audible system that warns other road users of a left-turn and reversing vehicle manoeuvre shall be fitted. The audible system:

• Shall activate when the left-turn indicator is engaged.
• Should be fitted with a manual switch to mute the sound when required e.g. when operating between 23:30 and 07:00 in urban areas.
• May be supplemented with a visual warning to vulnerable road users.

Vehicles operating in countries that drive on the right-hand side of the road should be fitted with an audible system that warns other road users of a right-turn vehicle manoeuvre.

Evidence that HGVs are installed or manufactured with any of the aforementioned road user safety equipment shall be provided by using the FORS Vehicle Safety equipment report, supported by:

• Permit scheme records or register.
• A selection of photographs of safety equipment fitted.
• Invoices from safety equipment suppliers.

HGVs should be installed with the following additional safety equipment:

• Camera systems that monitor front and off-side blind spots.
• A Digital Video Recording or streaming system for training and development.
• Moving Off Information Systems (MOIS) that use sensors to alert drivers of VRUs at the front of the vehicle.
• Blind Spot Information System (BSIS) that alerts drivers of VRUs down the nearside.

To allow for older vehicles in the fleet replacement cycle, a tolerance in the number of vehicles fitted with camera systems may be accepted for vehicles registered before 1 January 2015 where there is not a contractual or permit requirement. This tolerance shall be fully justified at audit and considered in a fleet replacement plan. If this tolerance is permitted, older vehicles not fitted with camera systems shall be fitted with an alternative blind spot vision aid such as a Fresnel Lens.