Biffa, a leading sustainable waste management company, has teamed up with Fleetclear, a fleet solutions provider, to ensure its Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) fleet operating in London is compliant with the new Direct Vision Standard (DVS) regulations, which came into effect on 28 October 2024.
Biffa has upgraded 111 vehicles across 19 depots in the Greater London area. Following a competitive tender process, Fleetclear secured the contract and retrofitted every applicable vehicle with the Fleetclear Progressive Safe System (PSS).
Under the DVS regulations, all HGVs (vehicles over 12 tonnes) must obtain an HGV safety permit to operate in Greater London. These regulations aim to minimise risks to vulnerable road users and reduce fatalities caused by poor driver visibility. Only HGVs rated three stars and above, or those equipped with a Progressive Safe System (PSS), are permitted on London’s streets. Many operators have already faced significant fines for non-compliance—up to £550 per operator and £150 per driver, per vehicle, per day.
Zoë Smith, Fleet Development Manager at Biffa, says, “Fleetclear has gone above and beyond in supporting Biffa to ensure our fleet remains compliant. The installed equipment has received great feedback from our operational teams, as it reduces false alerts, allowing our drivers to focus on what matters—the safety of vulnerable road users. We appreciate the support from the Fleetclear team.”
Despite some reports of equipment availability delays affecting operators’ ability to prepare their vehicles on time, Fleetclear has consistently provided a quick, simple, and hassle-free DVS compliance solution.
Mike Crowther, Fleetclear’s Business Development Director, adds, “We have collaborated with Biffa numerous times over the past 10 years, and we have always been impressed by their commitment to public and workforce safety and effective fleet management. We are delighted that Biffa has chosen Fleetclear to equip its fleet for full DVS compliance. We encourage operators still struggling with DVS compliance to contact our team for assistance.”
The Fleetclear Progressive Safe System (PSS) is a fully integrated, stand-alone solution that requires no preexisting equipment. Enhanced with AI-based camera detection technology, it includes a Blind Spot Information System (BSIS) and a Moving Off Information System (MOIS) for comprehensive DVS compliance. When integrated with Fleetclear Connect, operators can access safety-critical data from the PSS solution, including detection statistics, vehicle locations, and embedded video for review.
Find out more visit: www.fleetclear.com