The EU’s quest to make Europe’s roads the safest in the world received a huge boost on Wednesday as MEPs voted to support a law to improve the safety of cyclists and other road-users. The new regulation will require lorries registered since January 1st 2000 to have ‘blind spot’ mirrors to aid their vision when using the roads. The obligation to fit wide-angled and close-proximity mirrors would have a greater impact near ports where many lorries arrive from countries that drive on the other side of the road.

Although the mirrors will cost around £70 - £100 for each lorry, the plans are expected to save thousands of pounds in damage to vehicles and will save around 400 lives a year across Europe.

Subject to approval from EU Transport Ministers, lorry drivers will have until 31st March 2009 to comply.