The vote marks the beginning of the end for Europe’s brick-shaped lorries and will allow for cabs with improved visibility, especially important for the safety of pedestrians and cyclists in urban areas. 

The move has been greeted by Jeannot Mersch, president of the European Federation of Road Traffic Victims, who said: ‘With today’s vote the European Parliament has taken citizens’ safety to heart. Thousands of lives are sadly lost and many more victims are severely injured in lorry crashes every year. Rounded, streamlined lorry cabs could help avoid hundreds of these deaths and injuries. The EU governments have a moral obligation to embrace this hugely beneficial decision. Weakening, delaying or blocking this decision would be unforgivable.’

Meanwhile Antonio Avenoso, executive director of the European Transport Safety Council (ETSC), said: ‘This legislation is a step forward because it will enable innovative new designs that include crumple zones along with better visibility and protection of car occupants, pedestrians and cyclists.  

‘But the Parliament should remain vigilant and ensure that these safety requirements don't get watered down in negotiations with Member States or by the working groups that work out the technical details of the new rules.’

William Todts, clean vehicles officer at Transport & Environment (T&E), also expressed concern over national roadblocks: ‘The representatives of Europe’s citizens have openly voted for safer, cleaner lorries, a decision that will reduce road deaths and kick-start progress on lorry CO2 emissions after 20 years of stagnation. It would be unacceptable for EU governments to roadblock life-saving lorry changes in backroom Council deals, as this would only lead to more avoidable road deaths.’

According to ETSC data, around 4,300 people died in collisions involving lorries in 2011.  Because of their size and weight, crashes can be catastrophic with a much higher risk of death or serious injury. 

A study carried out for the European Commission estimates that as many as 500 lives could be saved every year if the cabs were made safer. 

The Parliament also agreed today that there should be no change to the current rules that prevent longer and heavier lorries from crossing borders in Europe. Instead, MEPs demand that the Commission properly assesses the impact of wider megatrucks use and report back to Parliament in 2016.

The proposed rules now need to be agreed with EU member states.