HGVs and lorries only account for about 10% of the traffic on UK roads, but they are involved in more fatal accidents than any other type of motor vehicle. It does not matter whether they are on a motorway or an A road, the statistics show similar figures for both. The sheer size and weight of the vehicles is a significant factor as they are sometimes not able to manoeuvre out of a dangerous situation. They will do all they can to prevent an accident, but unfortunately, it is not always possible.
The drivers of HGVs are very highly trained, but there is only so much they can do if another road user is at fault.
Technology is Helping
There are some things, such as health issues and road rage, that technology will not be able to do too much about. However, there are many ways that new innovations are starting to make HGVs and lorries less of a danger on our roads.
Companies like FleetGO, for example, can provide a system that keeps a check on tyre pressure in real-time, and users of this can let the driver know there is a problem before a tyre blows. Vehicles and trailers can be tracked, and with remote tacho download, operators will be able to see if a driver is exceeding the speed limits. There is also real-time vehicle diagnostics which will let the operator know if one of their fleet has developed a problem.
These things can all help operators to manage their fleet more efficiently and make the vehicles safer on the roads
The Problem with Bridges
One issue that can arise is when a driver does not realise a bridge is too low for his lorry. There are often reports in the media of an HGV hitting a bridge and the vehicle being badly damaged. The top of an HGV is not as robust as the bottom, but it can still affect the integrity of the bridge. This can cause a lot of inconvenience to the local community.
In Wales, back in 2018, there were 8 such accidents in just 7 days. As many of the bridges carry railways, Network Rail has launched a campaign aimed at the drivers of huge vehicles. Technology could help here too. There are satnav systems designed for the use of drivers of HGVs and they are warned well before they get to the bridge if it is too low for them to go under. Something as simple as an operator making sure all their drivers have the right satnav could prevent many of these almost daily accidents from occurring.
Safety and Efficiency
Many business owners have issues with health and safety as they think it is too expensive. When it comes to the technology that is helping to make a fleet safer, it also helps to make them more efficient. This extra efficiency will more than outweigh the cost involved, but at the end of the day, how do you put a price of the possibility of causing someone’s death on the roads?
