Road Safety Tips for HGV Drivers

Road Safety Week 2022 will take place from 14 – 20 November 2022. This annual campaign highlights important road safety messages and helps people understand what road safety is and how they can protect themselves and others.

Why is Road Safety Important?

Driving safely is essential for all road users and especially important for HGV drivers who spend their working lives on the road. Due to the size and weight of haulage vehicles, being involved in a collision could have a severe outcome. Driving a heavy goods vehicle is a significant responsibility, so being aware of how to keep themselves and the public safe is a priority for all truck drivers.

Top Tips for HGV Driver Safety

At Portman Logistics, we take safety seriously across all of our service areas. In this blog, we will share some top road safety tips for HGV drivers:

Take Regular Breaks

Taking regular breaks is a must for HGV drivers. Frequent rest breaks are a legal requirement and are recorded on tachographs. EU laws for HGV driver rest breaks are still in use, so familiarising yourself with these is crucial. Aside from following the rules, it is essential to take a rest break whenever you are feeling tired.

Develop Healthy Sleep Patterns

As well as taking regular rest breaks, it is also crucial for HGV drivers to develop healthy sleeping patterns. Following irregular sleep patterns can put you at an increased risk of having an accident. If you are not in a regular sleep pattern, you may find yourself struggling to stay awake behind the wheel.

A lack of sleep can make it hard to remain focused on the road and on your surroundings. These lapses in concentration can have potentially severe consequences. So, trying to establish a healthy sleep pattern is vital to keep you alert when behind the wheel, especially when you are driving long distances.

Be Aware of the Conditions

Being aware of your surroundings, the road conditions, and other drivers is always vital for an HGV driver. But, when the colder weather arrives, it brings additional challenges to be aware of, and you will need to adjust your driving accordingly. Snow and ice on the road, and strong winds, can all create unpredictable conditions for HGV drivers. Altering your driving to accommodate these weather conditions is the best way to stay safe.

Watch Your Speed

Watching your speed is essential when driving and one of the most crucial things you can do to keep yourself and other road users safe. Figures from RoSPA show that in 2020, 202 people were killed on roads in Great Britain by speeding drivers. So, being aware of the speed limits on each road you are driving on is vital and could potentially save a life.

At Portman Logistics, we always make sure our drivers are safe on the roads. Get in touch with us today to find out more or to ask any questions about what we can do for you