There were 128,920 casualties of all severities on the UK’s roads in the year ending June 2024, which was a 4% decline compared to 2023. While any decrease in the number of collisions and casualties is good news, there’s still much to be done to improve urban road safety in Britain.
Thankfully, recent updates to Transport for London’s (TfL) Direct Vision Standard, new laws, and new technologies are all contributing toward making the nation’s roads safer. Let’s take a closer look at the DVS, road safety predictions, and vehicle safety standards in 2025.
Updated Direct Vision Standard
Since 2021, the Direct Vision Standard (DVS) has increased the safety of heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) over 12 tonnes and vulnerable road users in London. The core of the DVS is to measure how much drivers can see from the cab of a vehicle and, if necessary, take steps to eliminate blind spots and alert vulnerable road users such as cyclists and pedestrians to the vehicle’s movements.
TfL updated the DVS last year, raising the requirement for HGVs operating in Greater London. Previously, your HGV required at least a one-star rating to qualify for an HGV safety permit. The minimum rating has now been raised to three stars. If your HGV doesn’t have at least a three-star rating from the vehicle manufacturer, you need to install a Progressive Safe System before applying for a safety permit to ensure DVS compliance.
While the updated DVS officially came into effect at the end of October 2024, TfL has an extended grace period ending on 4 May 2025 to allow fleet managers enough time to have PSS installed in their HGVs. Failure to comply with the Direct Vision Standard or driving an HGV into, through, or within Greater London without an HGV safety permit can lead to fines and operational disruptions.
PSS for DVS Compliance
A TfL-approved PSS, such as Crystal Ball’s DVS compliance solution, comprises various elements. These include:
- Camera monitoring system (CMS) fitted to the vehicle’s near side.
- A moving off information system at the front of the vehicle to warn drivers of vulnerable road users.
- Blind spot detection systems fitted to the nearside of the vehicle to alert drivers to pedestrians, cyclists, or other vulnerable road users.
- Class V/VI mirrors fitted to the vehicle’s front and near side, unless replaced by a CMS.
- Audible warnings to alert vulnerable road users when the vehicle turns.
- Warning signs displayed on the vehicle.
- Side under-run protection fitted to both sides of the vehicle unless this isn’t practical for the specific vehicle.
As you’ll see below, Crystal Ball’s DVS compliance solution and our 4G dash cams and vehicle tracking systems align with this and other urban road safety trends and laws in 2025.
Commercial Vehicle Tachographs
Tachographs also play a role in vehicle safety standards in 2025, especially in commercial vehicles with maximum authorised masses of 3.5 tonnes or more. Since August 2024, vehicles this size or bigger must be fitted with the second version of smart tachographs, especially if they are used for international journeys.
Like Crystal Ball’s vehicle tracking systems, these devices record driving speed, distance, time, and other vehicle information. One of the additional features we’re currently working on for our fleet vehicle tracking solution is tachograph analysis.
Safety and In-Car Technology
An emphasis on in-car technology designed to boost urban road safety is another trend that will come to the fore in 2025. You can expect to see the continued development of advanced driver assistance systems offering advanced features, such as adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist.
Crystal Ball’s 4G dash cam has already taken several steps in this direction. Using facial recognition technology, our cabin-facing dash cam monitors drivers’ faces for signs of distracted driving. If the camera detects the driver smoking, using a mobile phone, yawning, lowering their head, looking right or left for too long, or being absent from the wheel when the vehicle is in motion, it alerts the driver, records the incident, and notifies the fleet manager.
Our fleet tracking systems also use advanced in-car technology to offer features and functionalities that can improve urban road safety. For example, the system tracks and scores driver behaviour based on key performance indicators such as speeding, braking, acceleration, cornering, and idling.
More Data Analytics in Fleet Operations
2025 should see an increasing number of fleet vehicles get connected to digital platforms. This will provide fleet managers with a wealth of real-time data on driver behaviour, vehicle maintenance and performance, and fuel efficiency.
The best fleet tracking software will take this a step further by gathering data and analysing it, enabling managers to make informed decisions faster.
New Eye Tests
2025 could see changes in the way that drivers’ eyesight is assessed. While the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency haven’t announced official changes, the agency did commit to investigating the current testing methods last year.
This move was welcomed by the Association of Optometrists, which raised concerns about older drivers who could potentially pose a higher risk of causing accidents due to eyesight deterioration. The association called for all drivers’ vision to be assessed when they first apply for a license, when they renew their licenses, and, for drivers over the age of 70, every three years.
Support Urban Road Safety
Every year brings advancements in urban road safety, and 2025 will be no exception. Make Crystal Ball your partner in ensuring compliance with the Direct Vision Standard and other vehicle safety systems, and do your part in eliminating injuries and deaths from the UK’s roads.