We’re proud to be supporting National Highways in its latest campaign, which is designed to encourage road users to get to know the HGV zones. This is the latest step in Extra’s ongoing commitment to improving the needs of HGV vehicles and drivers, and ensuring better road safety for all.
The four HGV zones are the areas of limited vision that the drivers of large vehicles have. As these vehicles are often longer and heavier than standard vehicles, greater awareness from other drivers is demanded, due to frequent misinterpretation of these zones of limited vision.
National Highways is offering 3 main recommendations to help everyone be safer on the roads.
Stay visible
HGVs have areas of limited vision along both sides, so it’ is important not to linger in these zones. Overtaking large vehicles is more challenging, so drivers must make sure that there is easily enough room ahead to complete any overtaking manoeuvre safely.
Overtake with care
It takes more time to pass a large vehicle, and this is crucial to bear in mind. As well as ensuring there is plenty of room to overtake, drivers shouldn’t pull back in too quickly, always maintaining sufficient space between themselves and the HGV’s front blind spot.
Don’t tailgate
HGVs have longer blind spots at the back; dropping back will make it easier for standard vehicle drivers to see ahead and give HGV drivers the ability to spot other vehicles in their mirrors.
Driving too closely behind large vehicles will block vision of the road ahead, and reduce a road user’s stopping distance, increasing the risk of collisions.
You can find more information about the campaign at: https://nationalhighways.co.uk/road-safety/know-the-hgv-zones/