
Keeping HGV Drivers (And Other Motorists) Safe
We’re not sure if you’ve heard or not, but recently HGV’s made the news once again with a fatal crash. This one, which happened on the 22nd of February, involved 2 lorries and a minibus, and caused the death of 8 people. And now, many people are up in arms, demanding stricter rules on HGV safety. So, we thought we would take a moment to go over what regulations are in place to keep both the drivers of HGV’s and other motorists safe.
Standard Road Rules
Firstly, all of the standard rules of the road apply to HGV’s, as well as cars. That means not going over speed limits, not drinking and driving, and not using a phone while driving a vehicle. The vehicle must also be road legal, taxed and insured, and the relevant qualifications must be achieved in order to drive it. In short, HGV drivers are expected to follow all the same safety standards that your average motorist is.
Mandatory Rest Breaks And Drive Time Limits
Driving constantly is taxing and tiring work – and tiredness is the number 1 cause of road traffic accidents. So it’s unsurprising that rest breaks for drivers are mandatory – and strictly enforced. Drivers are required to take a 45-minute break for every 4.5 hours they drive, ensuring they never go too long without recharging or sleeping. In addition, drivers can only work for 36 hours in a given week, with a 2-week rolling limit of 90 hours over the 2 weeks. This reduces the risk of burnout and keeps drivers alert and safe.
Speed Limiting
Many HGV’s come pre-installed with a speed limiter, to prevent the vehicle from going too fast. This reduces the chance of fatalities if an accident should occur, and ensures the safety of everyone on the road – and the stock in the lorry. By limiting the vehicles speed, drivers know they can always break and come to a stop quickly if needed, and not drive at dangerous speeds.
Safety Technologies
Because we recognise that HGV’s are big, heavy vehicles, they come equipped with extra safety measures, much more advanced than your average car would. For example, a good HGV will have:
- Rear view cameras
- Reversing cameras
- Vehicle radars
- GPS tracking
- Digital video recorders (DVR)
- RFID technology
- Auto breaking systems
- Mirror monitors
In addition to all of the general vehicle safety equipment, you would find on any road legal car.
Vehicle Safety Checks
Every day before the first journey, HGV drivers are expected to carry out a 21-point check to ensure the safety and security of their vehicle. This check includes:
- Checking the condition of the brake lines
- Ensuring the security of the load
- Verifying that number plate is still in place and secure
- Testing all electrical connections
- Cleaning markers
- Ensuring reflectors are clean and functional
- Checking tyres for tread depth and punctures, and checking wheel fixings
- Examining spray suppression
- Inspection the security of the body and wings around wheels
- Verifying the condition and security of the battery
- Checking the coupling security
- Inspecting lights and indicators to ensure bulbs are all working
- Viewing the warning lamp
- Manually check windscreen wipers and washers for functionality
- Watching for excessive engine exhaust smoke on startup
- Testing the functionality of the horn
- Verifying the steering controls
- Testing the brakes
- Clearing the front view from the drivers’ seat
Extensive Training
And of course, in order to legally drive one in the first place, you need to have gone through rigorous training. HGV training covers everything from the basics of how to operate such a big vehicle, through to manoeuvres and extensive safety training. If a driver doesn’t meet the high standards set by HGV licensing tests, they will fail.
At Easy as HGV, we pride ourselves on the safety of all our drivers, from the newest graduate to the seasoned veterans. Our intensive training ensured that no driver is allowed onto the road without a comprehensive understanding of how to keep their vehicle safe, and their obligations to the public to uphold safety standards. For more information, just get in touch with us today.