A survey of 168 Class 1 and Class 2 drivers by recruitment firm Driver Hire found just 7% felt other road users properly understood the demands of operating a large vehicle. Why should they? Because the risks drivers describe — being cut up, misjudged blind spots, misjudged stopping distances — happen on every shift and put lives at risk.
Three issues dominated when drivers were asked about the greatest dangers posed by other motorists:
- 75% pointed to motorists cutting in front of HGVs
- 71% cited a lack of awareness of blind spots
- 66% cited drivers underestimating stopping distances
Almost two-thirds, 64%, said the space an HGV needs to manoeuvre safely was the single most underestimated factor among other road users. Unlike a car, an HGV needs considerably more room to turn, change direction and stop — and has zones around the vehicle where other road users can be difficult or impossible to see.
What that means in practice
- Stopping distance for a laden HGV at 56mph can be roughly double that of a car in the same conditions
- Blind spots exist directly in front of the cab, along both sides, and immediately behind the vehicle
- A left-turning HGV may need to swing right first to clear the trailer — a manoeuvre often misread by drivers and cyclists as a signal to overtake on the inside
Standards seen as worsening
Almost 80% of drivers surveyed believed driving standards on UK roads had worsened over the past five years, with more than half describing them as “much worse.” Almost half of respondents had held an HGV licence for more than 20 years, giving the findings a long baseline for comparison — though Driver Hire’s sample of 168 drivers from its own recruitment network is not representative of the wider HGV workforce.
Education over enforcement
Rather than tougher penalties, drivers favoured better preparation for learner motorists and public-awareness campaigns explaining blind spots, braking distances and turning circles. More than half said HGV drivers were fairly or very disrespected by the public, despite their role keeping supply chains running.
Richard Owen-Hughes, Driver Hire’s group marketing director, said the results pointed to a significant gap between drivers’ daily experience and public understanding of large vehicles — and that greater awareness of blind spots, stopping distances and turning requirements could make roads safer for everyone.
