SAFETY SCREENS – ACT NOW TO SAVE OUR INDUSTRY
attempts to find answers to the many questions that have been posed by licensing authorities and vehicle proprietors alike.
Whilst we do fully understand and appreciate the difficulties faced when comparing screens some of which are very good, some nonetheless are very bad and some are downright dangerous.
We have seen everything from shower curtains to cling film wrapped between the B-post to solid perspex cut with a saw and held together with tie wraps and gaffer tape. Indeed some of the “DIY” attempts are downright terrifying: risk to life, risk of injury, and risk of suffocation.
With this in mind, licensing authorities must balance between blan- ket approval of all screens, and as such accepting the slight possibility of risk of injury or death; or refusing all screens by having far too rigid conditions which are impossible to achieve in anything like an efficient timescale, which may result in many drivers or indeed passengers contracting the virus due to lack of action; bear- ing in mind that many of our trade are from ethnic minorities who the Government’s Office of National Statistics has stated are at a higher risk of actually dying from the virus.
Would it therefore not make sense in these unprecedented times for the Department for Transport to quickly establish clear criteria to which all temporary protection screens being installed in licensed vehicles must adhere.
Each council would then be able to make a decisive and informed decision on which screens they wish to approve in their area, and so allow their drivers to install these screens if they so choose.
Once again we stress that the installation of a temporary protection screen in a licensed vehicle should entirely be the choice of the vehicle owner. We do not know of a licensing authority within the UK that has mandated the use of these screens, nor would we sup- port such an approach; we just want to ensure that those members of the trade who wish to invest in such protection have the option to do so without unnecessary obstruction or derision.
Licensing authorities that have encouraged the installation of pro- tection screens have already set out certain criteria; if the vehicle proprietor chooses to install a safety screen to their vehicle, they will need to ensure the following:
• Any fittings and equipment must comply with the Road Vehicle (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986.
We advocate that all materials used must be in line with construc- tion and use regulation; it needs to transparent at the top, adhering to visibility regulations and flexible, to adhere to impact regulations and also all materials must be fire resistant.
• Any screen must be tested to the relevant EU standard for an original equipment type approval test covering interior fittings, to include CE certification and evidence of automotive standard for fire retardant testing and certification.
This directive doesn’t apply here to the screen itself, since this is not “original type approval” but an aftermarket product, although
JUNE 2020
it does apply to the materials used to construct any screens to be installed.
• The screen must be approved by MIRA or other comparable independent product engineering, testing, consultancy and cer- tification organisation.
MIRA in this instance does not apply; the correct “comparable” organisation is FEA, since any screen is a non-structural part but is simply an aftermarket additional device, which must not affect the structural integrity of the vehicle in any way at all.
• Screens must be professionally and securely fitted in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
For the purpose of this question, the “manufacturer” relates to the screen manufacturer, not the vehicle manufacturer. Screens should ideally be fitted by trained installers, or at the very least supplied with clear fitting instructions.
• Certification from the vehicle’s manufacturer should be sought to confirm that the screen does not compromise the integrity of the vehicle structure.
This is not likely to happen, nor is it likely to be necessary; vehicle manufacturers would not even issue a certificate to confirm that the replacement tyre or headlight bulb which they themselves have installed as part of a repair or service does not compromise the integrity of the vehicle, let alone any aftermarket products from which the manufacturers have not received a revenue stream.
• Screens should be constructed of PETg or polycarbonate and be CE marked accordingly; appropriate certification must be provided.
This must be the standard of material used. PVC is too solid and would prevent airbag deployment plus poses a risk of injury in the event of a collision due to not being flexible enough. Whereas soft plastics or cling film would pose far more of a suffocation risk and therefore be a risk to life.
• The screen should not impede the driver’s vision, movement, or communication with passengers. The screen should not impede driver or passenger access or egress to the vehicle.
Screens should be mounted to the back of the front seats, at the furthest point forward from the rear doors and should not even be visible from the door openings.
• Your insurer should be notified of any modifications you make to your vehicle.
It is imperative that the licence holder informs their insurance com- pany that they are installing a screen and must receive confirmation in writing. We surveyed all 18 insurance companies in the UK who deal with taxis and asked for clarification of their views on this issue. Their response was that since the screen is a non- structural installation and as long as it is not attached to any structural components of the vehicle, insurers would have no issues with approval and should not affect the premiums.
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