New driving law in UK from this week with drivers issued 'red lantern' warning

New driving law this week with drivers issued 'red lantern' warning
-Credit: (Image: Reach Publishing Services Limited)


A new road rule change coming THIS WEEK will see "red lantern" warning lights used to alert drivers. The Department for Transport has relaxed rules around using red warning triangles because previously, red warning triangles were only to be used in emergencies.

From this week, they will no longer be reserved solely for emergencies. Breakdown, roadside recovery and tyre service vehicles will be able to make an application to the Vehicle Certification Agency (VCA) for permission to use the lights.

They would then be deployed as standard for situations like breakdown recovery. Dom Shorrocks, chief operations manager for the RAC, said: "Being able to use red flashing lamps will unequivocally improve the visibility of roadside workers and help save lives.

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"There have been too many tragic collisions where lives have been lost involving stationary recovery vehicles at the sides of high-speed roads where more prominent red lights might have made a difference."

Prose announced: "We are now in a position to proudly announce that the application for all Roadside Recovery, Removal and Tyre industry operators to apply for a Vehicle Special Order (VSO) is now live. A VSO will allow operators or technicians to use Red Lamps on their vehicles."

It said: "Journey of Red Lamps for the Recovery Industry has been a long one but for PROSE to be asked to become part of it for the past nine months has been an honour. It has seen several challenges along the way including a general election which has delayed things somewhat.

"However the past few months has seen significant discussions and meetings with the Department for Transport (DfT) to get us to this point today. In addition many industry partners have been working very hard to ensure the appropriate training required has been developed.

"We are now in a position to proudly announce that the application for all Roadside Recovery, Removal and Tyre industry operators to apply for a Vehicle Special Order (VSO) is now live. A VSO will allow operators or technicians to use Red Lamps on their vehicles."