November Members' Meeting

The November Members’ meeting was presented by SAM Member Denis Hale, who is an IAM/SAM National Observer, a professional driving instructor specialising in LGV training, Fleet risk assessment, and has IAM Masters accreditation with distinction.

Denis was accompanied by Mark Levers, Traffic Officer and Team Manager at Highways England, and Tony Brookes, A1 Assessor for drivers on the DHL/JLR contract at DHL. The trio gave an illuminating presentation on sharing the road with LGVs.

Most road users have issues with drivers of other classes of vehicle than the one(s) they personally drive. This is particularly true of car and LGV drivers, who often stereotype each other in uncomplimentary ways. Denis listed many of these, which all present agreed were true.

Denis, Mark and Tony then each gave insights into the problems faced by LGV drivers whilst trying to maintain good observation and hopefully avoid collisions.

Those who don’t drive LGVs are mostly unaware of the poor visibility offered by standard mirrors fitted to LGVs, which was amply demonstrated by a training video clip showing a long line of cyclists alongside an LGV supposedly turning left. The left external mirror did not show the extent of the hazard and may have caused the driver to collide with the cyclists had he proceeded.

To overcome this, many vehicles are fitted with up to 9 separate vison aids, but this is not ideal due to the difficulty in scanning them and concentrating on what’s in front!

The message that if a following driver can’t see the external mirrors of the LGV in front, the LGV driver can’t see them, was fully emphasised in this presentation.

Vehicle design improvements to help improve visibility include all-glass doors and large cab rear windows, but these do not fully solve the problems.

The hazards present in right hand drive LGVs might be significant, but they are much greater for left hand drive vehicles. It is essential that car drivers take extra precautions when following or overtaking them. It is particularly important to pass such vehicles quickly and not drive alongside them for any great distance, as the driver quite possibly won’t see the passing vehicle and may pull out to overtake - with the inevitable result.

Videos showing the hazards involved in manoeuvring LGVs at high and low speeds were shown. Of particular interest was the potential rear overhang of trailers having rear axle steering, when negotiating tight corners.

In conclusion, the presenters appealed for tolerance on all sides when sharing the road with other vehicle types, as all is not necessarily as it seems.

Those present thanked Denis, Mark and Tony in the usual way. The meeting finished at 10:00 pm.

David Heath