Islington Tribune - by PETER GRUNER Published: 16 November 2007
Change in law follows death of cyclist
THE horrific death of a Holloway cyclist under the wheels of a lorry has resulted in a change in the law.
The government has ruled that from 2009 all heavy lorries must be fitted with mirrors that eliminate a blind spot blamed for cyclists’ deaths. The change follows a campaign by Islington South and Finsbury Labour MP Emily Thornberry.
On Monday, a St Pancras inquest was held into the death of researcher Amelia Zollner, 24, from Stock Orchard Crescent. She was fatally injured in Russell Square, Bloomsbury, as she cycled to work in March.
Ms Zollner was crushed by a lorry. Witnesses said they saw her pushed against a fence by the truck. An accidental death verdict was recorded.
Ms Thornberry, herself a cyclist, said that for £100 a driver could fit a mirror to eliminate the blind spot danger. “The government has agreed to change the regulations, but sadly it is not going to happen until the year after next,” she added. “I hope these lorry firms won’t wait for 2009 but introduce mirrors now.”