Do you feel confident overtaking HGV’s on the motorway?
More than a third of people admit to feeling nervous overtaking lorries while driving.
The same proportion of respondents to the poll of 2,000 British adults commissioned by National Highways said they do not know how many blind spots heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) have.
Lorries are fitted with additional mirrors to aid visibility, but they do not eliminate blind spots at the front, rear and each side of the vehicle.
National Highways, the Government-owned company responsible for England’s motorways and major A-roads, has launched a campaign to boost awareness of the four areas lorry drivers cannot see.
Have you seen our new campaign about HGVs?
We’re encouraging road users to stay out of the areas where HGV drivers have limited visibility. HGVs make up 9% of the strategic road network and are essential to keep the economy running.
▶️ https://t.co/apviNbMSKj#KnowTheZones pic.twitter.com/0scmLFiUS6
— National Highways (@NationalHways) February 27, 2023
Department for Transport figures show 216 people were killed in collisions involving HGVs in Britain in 2021.
Road safety minister Richard Holden said: “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.”
National Highways head of road safety Jeremy Phillips 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.”
Do you drive on motorways? How do you feel when overtaking an HGV? Do you know where the driver’s blind spots are?
