Vehicle recovery staff plead for better safety measures
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• Vehicle recovery operators are sending a petition to 10 Downing Street demanding new safety measures to reduce the risk of death or injury to their employees when working at the roadside.
Operators of more than 2,000 recovery vehicles have backed the petition, which follows a report by the Institution of Civil Engineers showing that 250 people are killed or seriously injured on motorway hard shoulders each year.
Petition organiser Phil Renno says the law only allows amber flashing lights to be used to warn dnvers of break-downs.
"Their effectiveness has been reduced over the years; if you see them on the motorway, the chances are people expect roadworks. Heavy loads have them as well and they might be travelling at up to 40rnph."
The petition will be presented on 17 January. It calls on the government to allow operators to use alternating red lamps or a definitive colour for break-down warning beacons such as magenta.
Renno can be contacted on 01462 743355.