Driving an HGV, lorry or truck takes a lot of care and attention. It’s much different from getting behind the wheel of a hatchback or a van! Therefore, HGV driving safety is always a must. All HGV drivers should be up to speed on basic safety standards and what to bear in mind. However, it never hurts to get a refresher every now and again!
Here are our top 7 safety tips for HGV drivers, which will apply no matter where you drive, and no matter what you may be carrying.
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.
Planning your route for any long-haul job is crucial. If you have plenty of HGV driving hours ahead of you, you’re going to need to make sure you know where you’re going. Fix up your sat nav or app and make sure you’ve given yourself enough time to get to where you need to be.
Always plan for the weather. Is bad weather likely to impact your time of arrival? Factor it into your journey.
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.
The number one rule for any long-distance driving is that you make sure you break regularly. Tiredness while driving can and will put other people – not just you – at risk. Most HGV driving jobs will demand that you spend several hours at a time on the road, which means you should plan at some stops where you can have a rest.
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.
This is something that applies to all drivers; however, it’s imperative that HGV professionals always keep alert. All manner of things could distract you. One of the biggest culprits, of course, is the smartphone. Do you really need to make that phone call while on the road? Even if it’s ‘just for a few seconds’, keep your hands off anything other than the vehicle’s controls. Even slight distractions, such as music from an on-board radio, could result in an accident. If you really want to play it safe, simply don’t take risks.
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.
Anyone taking on HGV driving jobs should know the Highway Code like the back of their hand. However, many drivers still fall prey to tailgating every now and again. Want to stay safe while driving an HGV? Don’t tailgate – ever. You should always be keeping a safe distance between the front of your vehicle and the back of the vehicle in front. What if they need to brake suddenly? That could result in disaster for both of you.
How many of these 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. HGV Drivers are under enough stress at work, having an accident or near miss on the motorway isn’t worth the risk.
The companies we work with on HGV Driver Jobs are on hand to assist and support your HGV career making the process easy and smooth.
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It’s understandable that you want to make sure you reach your destination on time. If you’ve planned your route well and have taken into account anything that’s likely to interrupt your journey, then there shouldn’t be any need for you to rush. What we’re saying is, of course, that speeding shouldn’t ever come into mind.
As the old saying goes – speed limits are not targeting for you to reach. If you’re transporting sensitive items, driving at speed is not only going to put them at risk but other road users, too
Anyone interested in HGV driving jobs should be ready to undertake a regular medical. Check-in with a doctor or specialist and you’ll be given the full lowdown on whether you are fit to get behind the wheel. In most cases, these medicals can be provided by the firm you are working for.
Medicals are important as it means your reflexes and physical condition are judged fairly to prepare for long haul jobs. Any professional HGV firm will want to make sure their drivers attend HGV medicals before they put their key in the ignition. Otherwise, lives, as well as reputations, could be at risk.
We really shouldn’t have to list this tip, as it’s something all road users should do – but so many drivers and passengers fail to use their seatbelts. A sudden jolt is all it could take for an HGV driver to seriously injure themselves, externally or internally. Failure to use a seatbelt can claim lives – there is simply no excuse. Clip-in, check your mirrors and drive.
The bottom line when it comes to HGV driving safety is, of course, that you should be self-aware on the road. Your vehicle is going to be far bigger than the majority of road traffic. Anyone with full HGV training will know how to safely manoeuvre large vehicles through traffic. However, it always pays to be mindful of people you are driving alongside.
Think and plan ahead for movements on motorways or busy stretches. Give other people plenty of space, and you will get it in return. No matter how many HGV driver hours you rack up on a job, you shouldn’t ever take your eyes off fellow road users.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
