New road safety campaign raises HGV awareness
A new initiative has been launched to improve road safety on motorways, particularly when driving near heavy goods vehicles.
The initiative has been launched by National Highways in partnership with RED Driver Training to help protect both experienced and new drivers on UK roads.
It highlights the risks of motorway driving and warns drivers sharing the road with HGVs that large trucks typically have four key areas of limited vision – immediately in front of the cab, directly behind the vehicle, and diagonally behind the driver on both sides.
To improve safety, it is encouraging drivers to overtake steadily and not linger alongside an HGV, to never follow too closely behind an HGV, and to remain out of their blind spots whenever possible.
New drivers
The awareness campaign has been launched in response to the large number of people who pass their driving tests in late summer. Last year there were 68,343 new drivers in August alone, with a quarter of all motorists killed or seriously injured in collisions involving HGVs under the age of 30.
Colin Stevenson, road safety information lead at National Highways, said: “Driving near large vehicles like HGVs can be intimidating. That’s why we’re urging all new drivers to understand how to stay safe around them. Knowing the blind spots, giving HGVs space, and staying visible can make all the difference in helping everyone get to their destination safely.”
Seb Goldin, CEO of RED Driver Training, said:
“Experience is a major factor in driving safely on the motorway and we would encourage all new or learner drivers to consider additional training, which involves motorway driving with an approved instructor.”
