SNP MEP Ian Hudghton is backing new European rules to improve transport safety which its estimated could save up to 1,200 lives between now and 2020.

In Brussels today (Thursday) the SNP President voted in favour of new EU regulations which would require all heavy goods vehicles registered since 2000 to fit blind spot mirrors.

Safety experts believe this would dramatically reduce the number of people killed or injured when lorry drivers change direction at a crossing or roundabout, many of them children on bikes.

Mr Hudghton hopes the new rules will help make Scotland's roads safer.

The SNP MEP - a member of the Parliament's Transport Committee - explained:

"Hopefully these new measures will help cut the number of people killed at crossings or roundabouts - many of them children out riding their bikes.

"The cost to the haulage industry of introducing these changes is modest at around 70 to 100 pounds per vehicle, no more expensive than filling the tank of a big lorry.

"Under existing legislation we'd have to wait until 2023 for this fairly simple safety feature to be implemented across the European Union which is far too long.

"We voted to set a deadline of June 2008 to bring these changes into law - I am confident that this can be achieved and we'll hopefully see improved safety on roads in Scotland and the rest of Europe."