National Highways stresses that both car and van drivers can underestimate limitations HGV drivers face in seeing passing vehicles.
This view comes in part from a recent survey commissioned by National Highways, which found that while nearly three quarters of people said they take extra care when overtaking a HGV, 36% said they did not know how many blind spots a HGV had. 36% also admitted feeling nervous when passing trucks.
In the campaign video embedded below, which is supported by the Road Haulage Association, Logistics UK and other HGV bodies, drivers are urged to ‘know the zones’ where HGV drivers have limited visibility.
The video highlights how HGV drivers have four areas of ‘limited visibility’ – at the front, rear and each side of their vehicle. National Highways adds that lorries now have additional mirrors as standard. This has improved driver visibility, but not completely eliminated ‘blind spots’.
Commenting on the campaign, Jeremy Phillips, Head of Road Safety at National Highways, said:
“Safety is our number one priority, and we all have a role to play in keeping each other safe when driving. Our advice to motorists overtaking a HGV is simple; avoid tailgating the HGV when considering an overtaking manoeuvre and as the Highway Code states, do so quickly and safely to avoid staying in an area of limited visibility.”
Richard Holden, UK Road Safety Minister, added:
“We have some of the safest roads in the world, but we are not complacent and are always looking at ways to make them safer. Making motorists aware of HGV blind spots will help prevent road collisions and support our ambitions of building a safer road network.”