Minister responds to 'tragic' death of motorcyclist

2 hours ago

Neve Gordon-FarleighNorfolk

News image — Simon Lightwood responded to area coroner Johanna Thompson and described the incident as a "tragic case"

JESSICA TAYLOR/Reuters Simon Lightwood in the House of Commons chamber reading from a sheet of paper being held up by a clerk. Lightwood is dressed in a dark suit and tie and has his hands clasped in front of him. There are a number of MPs sitting on the benches. — Simon Lightwood responded to area coroner Johanna Thompson and described the incident as a "tragic case"

A transport minister said the "tragic" death of a motorcyclist showed a need for light goods vehicles (LGVs) to have reverse cameras.

Alan Baker, 67, suffered catastrophic injuries after he was run over by a lorry when he was stopped on Muck Lane in Rackheath, near Norwich, in August 2024.

Johanna Thompson, the area coroner for Norfolk, wrote to the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency as there is currently no legislation for LGVs to be equipped with reversing cameras.

Simon Lightwood, the Labour MP for Wakefield and Rothwell and minister for roads and buses, said he believed the "tragic case highlights the importance of reconsidering the scope" of existing regulation.

On 7 August at about 12:40 BST, Baker was riding his red Triumph motorcycle when a white Scania R540 lorry stopped in front of him to allow another vehicle to pass.

The lorry then reversed and ran over Baker, an inquest found.

He was taken to the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital and died two weeks later.

Google A narrow lane surrounded by green trees and foliage on one side and a yellow crop field on the other. — Alan Baker had been riding his red Triumph motorcycle along Muck Lane in Rackheath on 7 August 2024

In a letter Lightwood said: "I was very saddened to learn of Mr Baker's death and offer my sincere condolences to his family and friends.

"The department is strongly committed to improving the safety of all road users, and this includes ensuring that new vehicles are approved, to demonstrate that they comply with a range of technical requirements before they can be sold."

Lightwood said the United Nationals Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) was the principal body for vehicle regulations.

The UNECE's regulation 158 requires all passenger and goods vehicles to be fitted with a device that warns the driver when it detects vulnerable road users to the rear of the vehicle. However, it does not mandate the use of a camera.

The Department for Transport said the vehicle involved in the incident was not under the scope of the regulation.

In 2025, a UNECE working group reviewed regulation 158 and the UK supported amending the scope to include goods vehicle trailers, however there was "insufficient" support from other countries.

Lightwood said he has asked officials to raise this in the April session of the UNECE working group.

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