With thousands of students travelling home for Christmas this week, National Highways is encouraging drivers to brush up on motorway safety, especially when driving near heavy goods vehicles (HGVs).
What the data says [Censuswide polling]:
Data shows that young drivers under 30 years of age account for a quarter of all car and van drivers killed or seriously injured in collisions involving HGVs and that more than two in every five (41%) newly qualified drivers panic when a HGV is ahead, behind, or alongside them.
What we can you do to increase your safety around HGVs?
National Highways ‘Know the HGV Zones’ campaign encourages all drivers, but particularly recent licence holders, to follow these essential safety tips when driving near HGVs:
- Know the zones: HGVs have four major areas of limited vision or blind spots. If you can’t see the HGV driver’s mirrors, they probably can’t see you.
- Overtake with care: Once you begin overtaking, move past the HGV safely and steadily. Don’t linger alongside and return to the left lane only when it’s safe to do so. Never cut in.
- Avoid tailgating: Following too closely means the HGV driver can’t see you, and you won’t have time to react if they brake suddenly.
- Be visible: Make it easy for HGV drivers to see you by staying out of their blind spots and using your indicators clearly and early.
Colin Stevenson, Road Safety Information Lead at National Highways, said: “The start of the festive season sees many students driving home for the Christmas break. Driving near large vehicles like HGVs can be intimidating, that’s why we’re encouraging all new drivers to understand how to stay safe around them. Being aware of HGV’s areas of limited vision, staying visible, overtaking with care and never tailgating are some simple steps that can help everyone get to their destination safely.”
For further information, please click the following link to visit:
National Highways Know the HGV Zones
