How many of these essential road safety tips for HGV drivers to you follow? It’s easy to get into bad habits when you’re driving day in, day out. And as a driver medical specialist in the West Midlands, we know you’re under enough stress at work. But having an accident or near miss on the motorway isn’t worth the risk.
That’s why we’ve put together this list of road safety advice for HGV drivers. How many of these safety tips do you follow – and what do you need to brush up on?
1. Check Your Vehicle Before Leaving
Carry out basic vehicle checks daily before setting off to catch problems before you’re on the road. The unexpected can and will happen, but giving your lights, tyre and mirrors a quick inspection makes life easier.
2. Don’t Give in to Distractions
As tempting as it may be when you’re driving for hours at a time, don’t get distracted when you’re driving your HGV. The main culprit? Checking your phone. Anything can happen while you’re looking down, and it only takes one unexpected event for things to go badly wrong. If that’s not enough to put you off, the penalty for using your phone while driving an HGV can be 6 penalty points or a £2,500 fine.
3. Drive on the Left
If you’re used to driving across continental Europe, remember to drive on the left-hand side of the road once you’re back in the UK. Not as easy as you might think if you’re on an empty road in the middle of the night – and roundabouts are notorious. As an HGV driver working long days and busy schedules, follow this road safety tip by taking a moment to get your bearings.
4. Steering Wheel Side
Which side is your steering wheel on? If you’re driving a continental vehicle in the UK or a British HGV across the channel, beware of blind spots. Local roads are often designed with local vehicles in mind, so you may need to take extra care.
5. Watch Your Speed
Don’t be tempted to speed – it raises the risks for you and other road users. You may be able to handle your vehicle, but this road safety advice is a solid. Speed limits exist for a reason, and even if you don’t end up in a collision you could face the consequences. Lorry drivers caught speeding on the motorway can be fined up to £2,500, and if you’re issued with 12 penalty points in 3 years you can be disqualified from driving. Bear in mind that driving an HGV with points on your licence can raise the cost of your insurance premium too.
6. Motorway Lane Rules for HGVs
Know the HGV road safety rules on motorway lanes. For example, HGVs weighing over 7.5 tonnes should stay in the left-hand lane unless you’re overtaking. On top of that, lorry drivers can’t drive in the right-hand lane of motorways with three or more lanes.
7. Stay Alert for Road Works
Road works can cause chaos on the roads, no doubt about it – so stay alert for signage. Even if you’ve passed through the area before, remember the temporary lane layout can change. And if you’re an overseas driver, remember the rules may be different in the UK. On four-lane roads and motorways, look out for warning signs from 1.6 km in advance of the road works.
8. Watch Out for Vehicle Restrictions
Road works can cause chaos on the roads, no doubt about it – so stay alert for signage. Even if you’ve passed through the area before, remember the temporary lane layout can change. And if you’re an overseas driver, remember the rules may be different in the UK. On four-lane roads and motorways, look out for warning signs from 1.6 km in advance of the road works.
9. Stop In a Safe Place
Keep yourself and your vehicle safe by parking your HGV in a secure place. Use a designated overnight car park, motorway services area or a truck stop when you can. As soon as you know your route, try to identify where you can stop along the way.
10. Take a Break from Driving
For road safety reasons and your own health, the law requires HGV drivers to take a 45-minute break every 4.5 hours. Driving tired can slow down your reactions and make it harder to make the right decisions, which can lead to accidents. Taking a break can be easier said than done, but driving tired behind the wheel of an HGV isn’t worth the risk.
11. Keep Your Emergency Details in Reach
Prepare for emergencies – even if it’ll probably never happen, plan for the worst. Keep essential contact details handy at all times. If you have an emergency, break down or you can’t get off the motorway, use the emergency roadside telephones that are stationed every 1.6 km along the hard shoulder. They’re recommended as the best option, but if you can’t reach one then call 999 or 112 from your own phone.
12. Staying Fit to Drive
Look after your health by staying up to date with your driver medical – and check in with a GP if your health changes. HGV driving is a stressful job, and you need to be fit for whatever the roads throw at you. Call, email or use our online form to book a driver medical in Central Birmingham today.