New Campaign: How to Pass a Heavy Goods Vehicle Safely

By Blind Spot DriveBlog

New Campaign: How to Pass a Heavy Goods Vehicle Safely

Outline

1. Introduction
   • Importance of HGVs in daily life and economy
   • The need for safe driving practices around HGVs
2. What are Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) Blind Spots?
   • Definition of blind spots in HGVs
   • Importance of understanding blind spots for safer driving
3. Zones of Limited Visibility
   • Description of each blind spot (front, back, and sides)
   • Explanation of the “multi-zone” concept
4. Survey Insights on Driver Behavior Near HGVs
   • Key statistics from National Highways survey
   • Common challenges drivers face
5. The Four Zones of Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) Blind Spots
   • The Front Blind Spot
     • Why HGVs can’t see smaller vehicles in front of them
   • The Rear Blind Spot
     • Risks of tailgating an Heavy Goods Vehicle  (HGV)
   • The Side Blind Spots
     • Explanation of visibility limitations on both sides
6. Best Practices for Safely Passing HGVs
   • Importance of passing quickly and decisively
   • Avoiding prolonged side-by-side positioning
7. Following the Highway Code for HGV Safety
   • The role of the Highway Code in guiding safe practices
   • Key points from the Highway Code specific to HGVs
8. Why You Should Never Tailgate an HGV
   • Risks of driving too closely behind
   • How HGVs handle visibility in the rear
9. How to Safely Overtake an HGV
   • Step-by-step guide for safe overtaking
   • Tips for ensuring visibility when passing
10. Advice for After Overtaking
    • Importance of not cutting in too closely
    • Keeping a safe distance once in front of the HGV
11. Misconceptions About heavy goods vehicle (HGV) Visibility
    • Common myths about HGV driver visibility
    • Clarification on what drivers can and cannot see
12. National Highways Campaign Highlights
    • Overview of the campaign’s purpose and goals
    • Key messaging for driver awareness
13. Expert Insight: Shannan Paterson’s Advice
    • Insights from HGV Training Midlands
    • Unique challenges faced by HGV drivers
14. Importance of Staying Calm and Confident Near HGVs
    • Tips for managing nervousness around large vehicles
    • Staying in control of your driving choices
15. Conclusion
    • Recap of key points for safe HGV interaction
    • Importance of awareness and respect on the road

New Campaign: How to Pass a Heavy Goods Vehicle Safely

Introduction

Every day, millions of heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) crisscross the roads, transporting goods essential for everyday life and the economy. Despite their importance, these massive vehicles pose unique challenges for other drivers on the road, mainly due to their size and significant blind spots. National Highways has launched a new campaign to address these issues, aiming to educate drivers on how to pass HGVs safely.

What Are Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) Blind Spots?

HGV blind spots are areas surrounding a truck where the driver’s view is obstructed, and they can’t see vehicles nearby. For car drivers, understanding these blind spots is essential to avoid accidents and ensure smooth interaction on the road. When a car enters these blind spots, the HGV driver has limited to no visual awareness of the vehicle’s presence, increasing the risk of dangerous incidents.

Zones of Limited Visibility

An HGV’s blind spots encompass multiple areas around the truck: directly in front, behind, and on both sides. This multi-zone layout means that, while heavy goods vehicle (HGV) drivers rely on their mirrors, there are still significant gaps in their visibility. Understanding these zones and knowing where not to linger while passing can make a big difference in road safety.

Survey Insights on Driver Behavior Near HGVs

According to a recent survey by National Highways, nearly three-quarters of drivers exercise caution when overtaking HGVs, but over a third are unsure about the number and location of heavy goods vehicle (HGV) blind spots. Additionally, many drivers admit feeling nervous when navigating around trucks, highlighting a need for increased education on this topic.

The Four Zones of HGV Blind Spots

The Front Blind Spot

Due to the elevated cab position, HGV drivers have a significant blind spot directly in front of the heavy goods vehicle. When a car is too close to the front, the HGV driver may not see it, which becomes dangerous if the truck needs to slow down quickly.

The Rear Blind Spot

Tailgating an HGV is particularly risky, as the driver cannot see vehicles close behind. Without rearview mirrors like in smaller vehicles, truck drivers rely solely on their side mirrors, leaving them unaware of any cars directly behind them.

The Side Blind Spots

The largest and most hazardous blind spots are on both sides of the HGV, extending beyond the length of the trailer. These areas make it crucial for drivers to avoid driving alongside an HGV for extended periods, as a sudden lane change by the truck could result in a collision.

Best Practices for Safely Passing HGVs

When passing an HGV, it’s essential to do so quickly and carefully. Lingering beside a truck can place your car directly in a blind spot, increasing the risk that the driver may unintentionally drift into your lane.

Following the Highway Code for HGV Safety

The Highway Code provides guidance on safe practices around HGVs, including keeping a safe distance, avoiding tailgating, and overtaking safely. Following these guidelines can help reduce accidents and ensure a safer driving experience for all.

Why You Should Never Tailgate an HGV

Tailgating is not only dangerous for both the car driver and the HGV driver, but it also limits your ability to see what’s happening ahead. Tailgating an HGV is particularly hazardous because the driver cannot see you, and any sudden stop could leave you with minimal reaction time.

How to Safely Overtake an HGV

When overtaking, move out smoothly, accelerate to pass quickly, and avoid lingering in the HGV’s blind spots. Make sure you can see the entire front of the truck in your rearview mirror before moving back into the lane, ensuring a safe distance.

Advice for After Overtaking

Once you’ve passed an HGV, don’t immediately pull back in front. Instead, leave enough room for the truck to see you and have time to adjust speed if necessary. Cutting too close can cause the HGV driver to brake abruptly, risking accidents and cargo shifts.

Misconceptions About HGV Visibility

Many drivers assume HGV drivers have full visibility through mirrors, but this is a misconception. Despite large side mirrors, there are still significant blind spots that only driver awareness and caution can help manage.

National Highways Campaign Highlights

The new campaign by National Highways emphasizes these visibility limitations and promotes safety practices. The primary goal is to help reduce road accidents involving HGVs by educating drivers on these blind spots and encouraging respectful driving habits around larger vehicles.

Expert Insight: Shannan Paterson’s Advice

HGV expert Shannan Paterson from HGV Training Midlands notes that driving a truck differs greatly from driving a car. The limited rear visibility and reliance on side mirrors make it vital for car drivers to respect these constraints and drive with awareness when near HGVs.

Importance of Staying Calm and Confident Near HGVs

It’s natural to feel nervous when driving near large trucks, but staying calm and confident can help you make better driving decisions. By focusing on the road and following the recommended safety practices, you can safely navigate around HGVs.

Conclusion

Passing an HGV safely requires patience, knowledge of blind spots, and adherence to safe driving practices. By understanding and respecting the limitations of HGV visibility, drivers can help reduce the risk of accidents and make the roads safer for everyone.

FAQs

1. What should I do if I feel nervous passing an HGV?
Stay calm, maintain a safe distance, and pass swiftly without lingering beside the truck.

2. How can I tell if I’m in an HGV’s blind spot?
If you can’t see the driver in their side mirror, they likely can’t see you either.

3. Why is it dangerous to tailgate an HGV?
Tailgating is risky as the HGV driver cannot see vehicles close behind, making sudden stops hazardous.

4. What’s the safest way to overtake an HGV?
Move out smoothly, accelerate to pass quickly, and ensure there’s enough distance before merging back.

5. Are HGV drivers aware of the campaign?
Yes, the campaign is part of a broader initiative to improve safety for all drivers on the road.

Main image by Pexels