EU Written Declaration on HGVs - PLEASE SUPPORT

Dear *****

Thank your email regarding Written Declaration 81/2010 on heavy goods
vehicle collisions. I have signed the Written Declaration which was
launched by my LibDem colleague Fiona Hall MEP with cross party support
in the European Parliament.

A growing number of serious road accidents have been linked to blind
spots that affect many large heavy lorries. I have had my own personal
experience of the problem after having a lucky escape when my car was
hit by a lorry in an accident a few months ago.

The Declaration calls for the fitting of sensors and cameras in lorries
to eliminate blind spots which would mean lorry drivers could be fully
aware where other road users are and help drivers to check all angles
before moving off at junctions on a bend where so many accidents occur.

My press release on the matter can be viewed here:
http://www.lizlynne.org.uk/news/001371/local_lib_dem_mep_backs_lifesavin
g_lorry_campaign.html

As you mention in your email it is important that a majority of MEPs
sign Written Declaration 81/2010 in order to get it adopted. That would
force the European Commission to come forward with proposals to
eliminate blind spots from lorries.

Thank you again for your correspondence.

Yours sincerely,

Liz Lynne MEP.

another one.

Done. I also got a very polite response from Syed Kamall (who knew Tories were so pro-bike?). It seems like all the London MEPs signed it, other than the moron from UKIP.

This is a really important campaign, well done to those organising it.

I also got my reply from same MEP! And a friend of mine got a response from the moron from the UKIP saying they'd sign it - I'm sure it's just to try and get their vote though...ah well, a signature is a signature????

just received reply confirming that Keith Taylor (Green MEP for South-East England) & Jean Lambert MEP (Green Party Member of the European Parliament for London) have signed up...

The Conservative MEP and the Labour MEP I wrote to have both confirmed they have signed. Same old from UKIP.

Done- response from 1 so far:
Thank you for the message, Mike.
Certainly, I will sign it.
Please bear in mind that it is only the equivalent of an Early Day Motion in the House of Commons, so that it has no legal effect at all. But if it obtains the signatures of a majority of the European Parliament's 736 MEPs (all nationalities) then it will show that the parliament wants the EU's executive body, the Commission, to take action and to draft EU-wide legislation.
All good wishes
Bill Newton Dunn, Liberal Democrat MEP
www.newton-dunn.com

Replies so far, all good ! :)

Dear Ms ,
Thank you for expressing your support for Written Declaration 81. Mary agrees that the proposals promise to bring about important improvements in cyclist and pedestrian safety and has already signed the motion.
Best wishes,
Ruby Thompson
Office of Mary Honeyball
Labour MEP for London

Dear ,
Thank you for your email.
I am sorry to hear about this terrible case.
I have signed the Written Declaration.
You might also be interested in the parliamentary question that was submitted to the European Commission which I have copied and pasted below:
10 March 2010
P-1462/10
WRITTEN QUESTION by Fiona Hall (ALDE) to the Commission
Subject: HGV blind spots
In 2005, Directive 2005/27/EC(1) was adopted, amending Directive 2003/97/EC(2) on rear view mirrors and supplementary indirect vision systems for new commercial vehicles. Vehicles of category N2 not exceeding 7.5 tonnes or those with a cabin similar to that of N3 vehicles now have to have Class IV wide-angle mirrors fitted.
Although this has gone some way to reducing the blind spots of these vehicles, there remains an area of no visibility or impaired visibility on the nearside and rear of the vehicle. There continues to be a high number of fatal accidents between HGVs and cyclists in situations that these new mirrors were meant to address. When considering Directive 2005/27/EC the European Commission only did a cost-benefit analysis of blind spot mirrors and did not investigate the effectiveness of other systems which reduce the blind angle. Among the alternatives are the Lexguard system which makes a sound and triggers a flashing light in the cab of the truck if someone is to the front or nearside of the vehicle, or the use of a standard wide angle lens which widens the driver's field of vision.
Given that Directive 2005/27/EC has not completely addressed the problem of blind spots in HGVs, will the Commission come forward with a revision of the legislation and also consider that there may be a fundamental design flaw in HGV cabs?
9 April 2010
P-1462/2010
Answer given by Vice President Tajani on behalf of the Commission Requirements for the installation of mirrors and other devices for indirect vision on new cars, trucks and buses sold on the EU market are currently contained in Directive 2003/97/EC(1) (as amended by 2005/27/EC(2)). Alternatively, vehicles, mirrors or other vision devices may be approved to United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) Regulation 46, which is technically equivalent to the above Directive. In future, as part of the simplification process introduced by the regulation on the General Safety of Motor Vehicles (EC) 661/2009(3), UNECE Regulation 46 will be the only standard that applies.
Within the working group that is responsible for the development of UNECE Regulation 46, the possibility of improving this regulation with the aim of reducing or eliminating the 'blind spot' that exists on many heavy vehicles, is currently under discussion. It is not the purpose of this group to mandate the use of particular products or technologies. However, it is envisaged that, based on the results of available research on driver visibility, it should be possible to extend the area around the vehicle which must be visible to the driver, either through the use of additional mirrors or by means of other devices such as camera/monitor systems. Once agreement has been reached on a revised version of Regulation 46, it will be incorporated into EU type approval legislation, subject to the agreement of suitable lead times to allow manufacturers the opportunity to adapt their designs.
With regard to the design of the driver's cab itself, it is possible that improvements could be made to the visibility available from the driver's seating position by, for example, increasing the glass area. However, any such increase in visibility needs to be balanced against the risk of reducing the protection offered by the cab structure in the event of an accident.
I hope this is helpful.
Regards,

Syed

SYED KAMALL
Conservative MEP for London
[SIZE=2][SIZE=2][COLOR=#0000ff]www.syedkamall.com[/SIZE][/COLOR][/SIZE][SIZE=2]
[/SIZE]

Dear ,
Thank you for your email.
Road safety is an extremely important issue, and I am pleased to inform you that I have signed Written Declaration 0081/2010 on heavy goods vehicle collisions. I am also bringing the declaration to the attention of my Green colleagues in the European Parliament.
Blind spots around heavy goods vehicles is a particularly important issue, with cyclists and pedestrians being extremely vulnerable. This is reflected in the tragic road deaths and injuries we continue to see in London.
Keith Taylor, Green MEP for South-East England, is responsible for road safety on the European Parliament's Transport and Tourism Committee for the Greens. He has also signed the declaration and is committed to improving road safety by a number of means. In the UK, Greens continue to press for much greater roll-out of 20mph speed limits - something which Keith and I have both called for.
Technology is clearly an major part of the solution. However, I believe that better driving is also necessary.
Thank you again for raising this important issue. I hope that you receive a positive response from your other MEPs.
Yours sincerely,
Jean Lambert MEP
Green Party Member of the European Parliament for London

Dear constituent,
Thank you for your email regarding HGV vehicle blind spots and the associated dangers for cyclists. I signed written declaration 81 in January and many of my colleagues are also supporting this campaign.
I have contacted Ms Jacqueline Foster MEP, who is the Conservative Transport Spokesman in the European Parliament. Ms Foster informs me that she has voiced her concerns by not only signing written declaration 81, but seeking reform on this issue.
Accidents between HGV vehicles and cyclists are all too common and sadly the case of Eilidh Cairns is not an isolated incident. I believe that the installation of cameras and sensors will provide increased protection to cyclists, alongside pedestrians and other road users, against HGV blind spots. It is also important for lorry drivers themselves to have adequately equipped vehicles allowing them to drive safely. One would hope to see a significant drop in the disproportionally high number of fatal accidents HGV are responsible for in the UK .
Should you require any further information please do not hesitate to contact me or Ms Jacqueline Foster at jacqueline.foster@europarl.europa.eu
Kind regards,
Marina
Marina Yannakoudakis MEP
[FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][B][COLOR=gray]Conservative Party[B][B]│[/B]Brussels Office[B]│[/B]European Parliament [COLOR=#0000ff] [/COLOR]

[/B][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT][/B]

Dear *****,

Thank you for your email.

Mr Bradbourn's office has passed this over since you are in fact one of
Mr Harbour's constituents.

This is to inform you that Malcolm Harbour has signed written
declaration 81.

Kind regards,

Stephane Reynolds
Parliamentary Assistant to Malcolm Harbour
Member of the European Parliament for the West Midlands, UK.
Chairman of the Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee.
European Parliament - WIB 6M 099 - Rue Wiertz 60 - B-1047 Brussels -
Belgium

Another one....

Bit of a wishy washy response from Graham Watson Lib Dem MEP for South West and Gibraltar, doesn't make it clear if he has signed it or not. However, it would seem that Fiona Hall has done a good job in keeping him informed:

Dear Mr ,

Thank you for your email of 4 February regarding written declaration 81/2010 calling for the elimination of blind spots in lorries.

There are hundreds of Written Declarations and as a Member of the European Parliament I cannot possibly read them all. However, I will bear your thoughts and comments on this matter in mind and will certainly read this Written Declaration.

The See me, Save me campaign is something I strongly support. During Road Safety Week I think it is essential that MEPs and MPs do what they can to help reduce road deaths and injuries in Europe.

My colleague Fiona Hall, Lib Dem MEP for the North East of England, has been very active on this issue and I am pleased to note that she was awarded ‘Parliamentarian of the Month’ by the charity Brake for her efforts.

Thank you for contacting me on this matter and if I can be of any assistance in the future, please do not hesitate to contact me.

In view of your interest in how I might be able to help you, it occurs to me that you might like to receive my weekly email newsletter providing news and my views on EU developments. If so, please let me know and I will add your email address to my distribution list.

Yours sincerely,
Graham Watson MEP

So far, I have this reply:

 Godfrey Bloom MEP

ASP 4 F 155
Wiertzstraat 60
1047-Brussel
Belgium
00 32 228 47469

8 February 2011

Re: Road safety and blind spots around lorries

Dear Mr Hotdog

Thank you for your letter by email of 6 February 2011, outlining your concerns with road safety and blindspots in lorries on our UK roads. We agree that it is clear that there is a problem here which may be addressed by sensible legislation requiring the use of modern equipment to reduce the hazard.

Unfortunately, the EU is really only concerned with two things: tax and control. At present the EU Commission has more interest in raising more tax revenue by means of the Eurovignette, a type of tax disc for lorries over 12 tons, but soon to be extended to those over 3.5 tons.

Although EU regulations and directives are created in Brussels and passed in Strasbourg, it is essential to realise that they do not become UK law until our own Houses of Parliament passes them into English law. In general, the UK Independence Party in the European Parliament opposes EU regulations, as we do not recognise the legitimacy or competency of the EU to govern our country. Obviously the EU route for passing such a law as you propose is costly and very time-consuming, even for such a relatively small matter. Let us not forget how much delay and cost could be saved by merely eliminating the EU from our thinking. We still have a parliament in Westminster, the correct route here is to raise the matter with the local MP and ask that the Houses of Parliament act with urgency, and not pass the buck to a remote, slow-acting power in Brussels. If their answer be that they cannot pass such laws without EU permission, then we must recognise how far the rot has spread and how powerless we are until we achieve withdrawal from the EU.

The problem with EU legislation is the confusion, slowness, and heavy-handed unfairness of the EU's 'one size fits all' approach, which applies to these and other matters. The unelected Commission alone has power to propose laws, and they cannot be lobbied directly by members of the public, and are thus entirely not accountable to you, the taxpayer. We are much better off making our own UK laws, which we have done successfully for centuries.

You may wonder how it is that so many bad EU regulations are so easily passed into UK law. This is due to the European Communities Act (ECA 1972), and the UK Treaty of Accession (UKTA, 1972). It is because of these statutes that even if we repealed an EU directive passed into UK law, there is nothing to stop more directives being passed into UK law. Only by getting rid of the ECA and the UKTA can we permanently stop EU directives being rubber-stamped into UK law, adversely affecting our lives and taking over our country. Finally, the long term benefit of removing the ECA and UKTA will get us out of the EU.

Please feel free to write to your local MP, and ask them to reply to you on this matter of repealing the ECA and the individual laws affecting you. This will advance both your cause, and the cause of the UK Independence Party. These non-UKIP MPs must be made to feel that they are under scrutiny, and that they cannot do and say what they like with no consequences. You can help by getting involved.

Yours sincerely

Michael Jose
Parliamentary Researcher
On behalf of Godfrey Bloom
00 32 228 47407
michael.jose@europarl.europa.eu

But more positively, also this:

Dear Johnny,

Thank you for making contact.

I confirm that Diana Wallis MEP has signed this written declaration.

Regards,

Angela Hunter
Office of Diana Wallis MEP - Vice President of the European Parliament
Liberal Democrat Yorkshire & the Humber
PO Box 176
BROUGH
East Yorkshire HU15 1UX

..and this from my friendly BNP MEP's office. I never, ever thought I'd write to the BNP requesting somerthing (other than that they fuck off.) Hopefully he'll manage to at least one thing that isn't hate filled and utterly retarded:

Dear Mr Hotdog

Many thanks for this. I will pass this onto Mr Brons for his consideration.

best wishes,

Chris Beverley
British National Party

On behalf of Andrew Brons MEP
PO Box 116, Leeds LS27 9WW
www.andrewbrons.eu

Another crappy response :o( Boo

Dear markbikeslondon

Thank you for expressing your support for the Written Declaration
concerning the improvement of road safety.

As a general rule I do not sign Written Declarations as I feel their
impact has been severely compromised by the sheer volume currently being
tabled. I do make occasional exceptions where I feel there is no other
route via EU institutions to make a point. However, I do not feel that
this applies here and so I regret to inform you that I will not be
signing this particular one.

Yours sincerely

Julie Girling MEP
Conservative Member for the South West & Gibraltar

I've gone back asking the following:

If you do not believe that Written Declarations are worth signing could you please provide advice as to an alternative route constituents should pursue in order to bring about action at European Parliament?

Seems to me there are a lot of MEPs who are quite good at not actually engaging with the EU Parliament!

What a horrible response! So lazy. Isn't it his job to make the time? If I told my work there was too much of the same stuff on my plate and I can't be assed they'd sack me.

3 of my Glasgow/strathclyde area MEPS responded and have signed up.

Done mine,
All London MEPs except UKIP numpty have signed:-)

4. PLEASE come to Hyde Park Corner 11.30-12.30 on Monday 14th Feb, for a media event, before we leave for Strasbourg

Anyone attending this?

...other than me that is?

Yes, please come along to Hyde Park Corner. Will have TV crews and reporters. Lets make some noise. Its a lot easier than going to Strasbourg!

Thanks for picking this thread up again.

"...if it obtains the signatures of a majority of the European Parliament's 736 MEPs (all nationalities) then it will show that the parliament wants the EU's executive body, the Commission, to take action and to draft EU-wide legislation."

Correct, and there are only 72 UK MEPs. We are doing really well but we need to penetrate other countries now. Please can you circulate as far and wide as poss? And anyone got any EU journo connections? Or contacts with Tour de France so we could hit all those countries??

Ideas and proactive action for EU dissemination gratefully rec'd.
Eilidh's Big Sis.

As I'm coming down to London for the day for this, would be good* to meet a few others from here.

*possibly?

Peter skinner can be crossed off that list above, just had a response from him.

Dear John

Thank you for your email about European Written Declaration 81 on improving road safety through the elimination of blind spots around lorries (trucks).

I ampleased to inform you that I have signed this written declaration.

Best wishes.

Peter Skinner, Labour MEP for the South East

Several more replies yesterday and today from my MEP's:

1. 
   Dear ****
   Thank you for writing to me about European Parliament Written Declaration 81 on improving road safety through the elimination of blind spots around lorries. I am pleased to tell you that I have signed this important Declaration.
   As your email pointed out, Heavy Goods Vehicles are involved in a disproportionately high number of accidents each year. Blind spots to the front and side mean that cyclists and pedestrians are often invisible to the driver.
   You are also correct to point out that legislation to increase mirrors on vehicles has not solved the problem as well as point out that estimates suggest 2000 European cyclists still die on roads annually. It is true that HGVs are indeed involved in a high proportion of such fatalities.
   In addition, I have recently asked a parliamentary question on just this issue, both the text of, and the response to, I include below.
   Thank you once again for writing to me on this very important issue. I hope the declaration will help prevent tragic and unnecessary deaths such as that of Eilidh Cairns.
   Yours sincerely,
   Claude Moraes MEP
   Labour Member of the European Parliament for London
   
   
   

2.
Thank you for your email.
Sarah Ludford has signed Written Declaration 81 and will continue to follow the issue.
Kind regards,
Laura Kelleher
Political Assistant
Office of Baroness Sarah Ludford
Liberal Democrat MEP for London
36b St Peter's St
N1 8JT

Tel/Fax: 020 7288 2526
office@sarahludfordmep.org.uk
www.sarahludfordmep.org.uk

Dear ****
Thank you for your email.
Road safety is an extremely important issue, and I am pleased to inform you that I have signed Written Declaration 0081/2010 on heavy goods vehicle collisions. I am also bringing the declaration to the attention of my Green colleagues in the European Parliament.
Blind spots around heavy goods vehicles is a particularly important issue, with cyclists and pedestrians being extremely vulnerable. This is reflected in the tragic road deaths and injuries we continue to see in London.
Keith Taylor, Green MEP for South-East England, is responsible for road safety on the European Parliament's Transport and Tourism Committee for the Greens. He has also signed the declaration and is committed to improving road safety by a number of means. In the UK, Greens continue to press for much greater roll-out of 20mph speed limits - something which Keith and I have both called for.
Technology is clearly an major part of the solution. However, I believe that better driving is also necessary.
Thank you again for raising this important issue. I hope that you receive a positive response from your other MEPs.
Yours sincerely,
Jean Lambert MEP
Green Party Member of the European Parliament for London

Dear constituent,
Thank you for your email regarding HGV vehicle blind spots and the associated dangers for cyclists. I signed written declaration 81 in January and many of my colleagues are also supporting this campaign.
I have contacted Ms Jacqueline Foster MEP, who is the Conservative Transport Spokesman in the European Parliament. Ms Foster informs me that she has voiced her concerns by not only signing written declaration 81, but seeking reform on this issue.
Accidents between HGV vehicles and cyclists are all too common and sadly the case of Eilidh Cairns is not an isolated incident. I believe that the installation of cameras and sensors will provide increased protection to cyclists, alongside pedestrians and other road users, against HGV blind spots. It is also important for lorry drivers themselves to have adequately equipped vehicles allowing them to drive safely. One would hope to see a significant drop in the disproportionally high number of fatal accidents HGV are responsible for in the UK .
Should you require any further information please do not hesitate to contact me or Ms Jacqueline Foster at jacqueline.foster@europarl.europa.eu
Kind regards,
Marina
Marina Yannakoudakis MEP

And finally a disappointing, but understandable response from the UKIP...
Dear ****
Thank you for your email.
I agree that this is a serious and pressing issue but one that should be addressed only by democratic national parliaments.
I have not signed the Written Declaration because I was elected on the basis of advocating Britain’s withdrawal from the European Union; the European Union is undemocratic and indeed anti-democratic. Therefore on a point of principle I never sign Written Declarations where they call for more EU legislation. I would like to emphasise that Written Declarations have no legislative effect.
I always vote against EU legislation, believing that the governance of countries should be by their accountable and directly elected governments. It would therefore be inconsistent to sign a Written Declaration calling for further EU legislation. Please see the attached copy of my Personal Declaration that states the basis on which I hold my seat in the European Parliament.
I appreciate that you may be disappointed by my response but I hope you will appreciate that I am maintaining a consistent stance for those who elected me on the principles on which I stood.
Yours sincerely,
Gerard Batten MEP
UKIP London

done.

Response claiming my BNP MEP will consider signing it...

Dear Danielle,
Many thanks for your email on this important subject, this is certainly something that Mr Brons will consider signing.
best wishes,

Chris Beverley
British National Party

Has he considered it yet? I dont think hes on our list.

4. PLEASE come to Hyde Park Corner 11.30-12.30 on Monday 14th Feb, for a media event, before we leave for Strasbourg

Anyone attending this?

I can make it.
I can talk fairly well, though truly have a face for radio...

Hopefully see some bods down there?