Charlotte Haye 7th February 2018

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.