National Highways has launched a new safety campaign to raise driver awareness of HGV blind spots when overtaking.

36% of drivers say they don’t know how many blind spots HGVs have

Research among drivers found 36% didn’t know how many blind spots HGVs have and the same amount admitted to feeling nervous when passing trucks.

While lorries now have additional mirrors as standard, which has improved driver visibility, ‘blind spots’ are not completely eliminated

The new National Highways campaign video, supported by the Road Haulage Association, Logistics UK and other HGV bodies, shows that HGV drivers have four areas of ‘limited visibility’ – at the front, rear and each side of their vehicle. Drivers who don’t know where they are could be sitting in one without even realising.

Other advice is to pass quickly and safely and, where possible, not to linger next to an HGV.

Jeremy Phillips, head of road safety at National Highways, said: “Safety is our number one priority, and we all have a role to play in keeping each other safe when driving.

“Our advice to motorists overtaking a HGV is simple; avoid tailgating the HGV when considering an overtaking manoeuvre and as the Highway Code states, do so quickly and safely to avoid staying in an area of limited visibility.”

Logistics UK said the initiative would encourage motorists to think about overtaking lorries safely without lingering in zones of limited visibility.

Chris Yarsley, senior policy manager – road freight regulation at Logistics UK, said: “The safety of our members, and all other road users, is of paramount importance to Logistics UK and this new campaign is an ideal opportunity to raise awareness of the hazards when interacting with HGVs on England’s motorway and major A-road network.”