At a glance
• Deaths of pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists in collisions with lorries have dropped from an average of 17 to 11 per year, and serious injuries from 34 to 24
• But cyclist deaths or serious injuries from all vehicle types are up 10 per cent year-on-year, though TfL says that the risk per cyclist is falling due to a large increase in cycling
• Recent TfL stats show 22 deaths and 961 serious injuries in July–September—exceeding safety targets and last year’s figures
Fewer pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists are being killed in HGV collisions in London since new safety rules were introduced, according to new figures.
The average death toll involving lorries and “vulnerable road users” in the capital has fallen from 17 a year to 11 due to efforts to eradicate driver “blind spots”.
There has also been a reduction in serious injuries, from 34 to 24.
However, separate data has revealed a 10 per cent year-on-year increase in the number of cyclists being killed or seriously injured in collision with all types of vehicle – and a wider rise in road fatalities and serious injuries in London.
Transport for London said on Monday that the introduction of its “direct vision standard” for HGVs – which requires vehicles to be fitted with glass doors, better mirrors and safety alarms – had helped to reduce casualties and fatalities.
It said the number of people walking, cycling or motorcycling killed or seriously injured in a collision with an HGV has fallen from an average of 71 people per year in 2017-2019 to 35 people in 2024.
TfL’s most up-to-date casualty statistics show that between July and September this year, 22 people were killed in road collisions and 961 were injured.
This is well above TfL’s “target” of 873 people being killed or seriously injured (KSI) and also significantly higher than the 927 “KSIs” recorded in the same period last year.
This year’s fatalities included 11 pedestrians, four car passengers and one cyclist. Three cyclists were killed in the same three-month period in 2024.
The latest cyclist fatality was a hit-and-run collision in Hammersmith in August. A woman cyclist was fatally injured in collision with a moped rider who had entered a cycle lane in King Street. The victim, believed to be in her 50s, has not been publicly named.
A report to TfL’s safety committee last week said: “There has been a 10 per cent increase in the total number of cyclists being killed or seriously injured.”
However it said that because of the “significant increase” in the number of people cycling in London, the “overall risk of being killed or seriously injured while cycling in London continues to decrease”.
The DVS, introduced in 2019, requires HGVs to have a “three star” safety rating or be required to retrofit safety equipment in order to receive permission to operate in the capital.
A long-running programme up upgrade safety at 73 of the most dangerous junctions has now seen work completed at 45 locations, most recently at Battersea Bridge.
In addition, 264km (164 miles) of TfL roads are now subject to a 20mph limit, while 23 of the 33 London boroughs have a default 20mph limit for their residential streets.
London mayor Sir Sadiq Khan said: “Making London’s roads safer for everyone is a key priority and I’m proud to see this new data showing that my Direct Vision Standard is helping to save lives in London.
“I’m committed to eliminating deaths and serious injuries from our roads as part of my Vision Zero Strategy, and I’m determined to keep investing record amounts to reduce road danger.”
TfL released the HGV data to mark road safety week. The data does not include the safety rating of each HGV involved in a fatal or serious collision.
Lilli Matson, TfL's chief safety health and environment officer, said: “Road Safety Week is an important time to remember the tragic heartbreak and loss caused by collisions on London’s roads, and encourage safer behaviours.
“This year’s theme is around safer vehicles and it’s vital that all vehicles using London’s roads have safety at the forefront of their design.
“Since we introduced London’s pioneering Direct Vision Standard, on average six fewer people have been killed and 21 fewer people have been seriously injured in collisions with HGVs every year. That’s dozens of lives saved, and hundreds of people whose families and friendships have not been shattered by the serious injury or death of a loved one.”
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