Death of motorcyclist killed by reversing lorry prompts road safety review |
Alan Baker was involved in a crash with a lorry while riding his Triumph motorcycle on Muck Lane in Rackheath, on August 7, 2024.
The crash happened at around 12.40pm and saw the 67-year-old taken to hospital with serious injuries.
Mr Baker, of Pennyroyal in Catton, Norwich, died less than three weeks later at the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital on August 25.
Norfolk and Norwich Hospital (Image: BRITTANY WOODMAN)
The retired gearbox fitter’s medical cause of his death was traumatic chest, pelvis and leg injuries as a result of a road traffic collision.
Following an inquest into his death, area coroner for Norfolk Johanna Thompson issued a Prevention of Future Deaths report.
She called for urgent national action to prevent further road deaths, warning that lives remain at risk unless new safety requirements are introduced for large goods vehicles (LGVs).
The report was sent to the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), with copies shared with the Department for Transport and other key bodies.
Area coroner Johanna Thompson (Image: The Coroners' Society)
Last year's inquest at Norfolk Coroner's Court heard that Mr Baker had been riding his motorcycle behind an LGV which stopped and then began reversing to allow another vehicle to pass.
Because of the close proximity between the two vehicles, Mr Baker was struck and suffered catastrophic injuries which ultimately led to his death.
Following a lengthy investigation, the coroner ruled the death was the result of a road traffic collision.
However, the inquest also identified wider safety concerns that Mrs Thompson said extended far beyond this single case.
In her report, she highlighted the lack of a mandatory requirement for LGVs to be fitted with reversing cameras.
Alan Baker died after a lorry crash on Muck Lane in Rackheath (Image: Google Street View)
She also raised concerns that even where such cameras are installed, there is no legal obligation to ensure they are properly maintained and fully operational.
She added that improved visibility for LGV drivers when reversing could be critical in preventing similar tragedies.
Simon Lightwood, Department for Transport’s (DfT) minister for roads and buses, has now responded to the coroner’s concerns.
Simon Lightwood, serving as minister for roads and buses (Image: Dan Dennison / DfT)
He explained that vehicles must meet international safety standards set by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE).
The relevant regulation, UN R158, requires vehicles to have systems that warn drivers about vulnerable road users behind them but does not specify the use of cameras, as it is “technology-neutral”.
He went on to explain that the UK recently launched a Road Safety Strategy and is consulting on making these safety technologies mandatory for new vehicles.
However, UN R158 currently excludes goods vehicle trailers like the one involved in the incident.
Although the UK supported expanding the regulation to cover trailers, this was not agreed internationally.
The minister has now asked officials to raise this issue again at the next UNECE meeting.
Norfolk Coroner's Court in Norwich. (Image: Newsquest)
He added: “I believe this tragic case highlights the importance of reconsidering the scope of UN R158, and I have asked my officials to raise this in the April session of the UNECE working group.
“The DVSA provides advice to operators on vehicle roadworthiness and safe operation, and will look to promote opportunities for using these types of devices and ensuring they stay effective.
“Should these devices become mandatory in the future, DfT and DVSA will consider if they should form part of the annual roadworthiness test and other inspections.”
The report and Mr Lightwood’s response has been shared with Norfolk Police, legal representatives involved in the case and Mr Baker’s next of kin.