Drivers need better knowledge of HGVs

Posted :26-09-2005

Lorries and heavy goods vehicles (HGV) are causing extra stress for motorway drivers, as they do not know how to cope with them on the road, according to recent research.

Direct Line's survey of almost 2,100 drivers found 18 per cent admitted they would rush to overtake a lorry, and 39 per cent felt stressed overtaking HGVs on the motorway.

Government data reveals that accidents involving HGVs are becoming more common, with an increase of 19 per cent year on year.

However, lorry drivers, the so-called 'Knights of the Road', say they are subject to various restrictions and regulations that aim to prevent accidents.

The AA Motoring Trust said car drivers needed a better understanding of the rules for HGVs, as many do not know their speed limit is restricted to 56 mph on a motorway and they are not allowed to use the outside lane.

Confusion and a lack of confidence on the part of the car driver could be causing more harm, said the trust's Head of Road Safety Andrew Howard.

"Far more of this is motorists not understanding lorries rather than not understanding motorways," he claimed.

Steve Williams, spokesman for the Road Haulage Association (RHA), said many accidents involving HGVs were "often" not their fault.

"But I can understand it is intimidating, and it can cut down the vision of cars… and most of these trucks are 44 tonnes," he said.

Better knowledge of HGVs on the driving theory test is one idea put forward to help the problem.

Another suggestion is for drivers to take an advanced driver's course, which can in turn lead to cheaper car insurance from many insurers.

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