Young drivers under 30 are significantly over-represented in serious collisions involving heavy goods vehicles (HGVs).

According to the latest statistics, younger drivers account for a quarter of all car and van drivers killed or seriously injured in such incidents across the UK.

In response to these facts, National Highways has launched a new safety campaign in partnership with Red Driver Training to target newly qualified motorists and raise awareness of the dangers of driving near large vehicles.

Where are you?

The campaign, called ‘Know the HGV Zones’, highlights the dangers of HGV blind spots and aims to educate drivers on how to stay safe around large trucks.

HGVs have four significant blind spots – directly in front, immediately behind, and along both sides — where cars can easily become invisible to drivers of larger vehicles.

Drivers are being urged to avoid tailgating, to overtake carefully, and always to signal early and clearly.

Staying out of blind spots and giving HGVs adequate space are key steps to reducing the risk of a serious collision.

Colin Stevenson, Road Safety Information Lead at National Highways, emphasised the importance of greater awareness among new drivers.

“Driving near large vehicles like HGVs can be intimidating,” he said. “That’s why we’re urging all new drivers to understand how to stay safe around them. Knowing the blind spots, giving HGVs space, and staying visible can make all the difference in helping everyone get to their destination safely.”

Multi-lane danger

The lack of motorway experience among young drivers exacerbates the problem.

Although a 2018 law change allowed learner drivers to practice on motorways with an approved instructor in a dual-controlled vehicle, many are still not taking advantage of this opportunity.

According to a new survey by National Highways and Red Driver Training, more than half (53%) of newly qualified drivers had never driven on a motorway before passing their test.

This lack of exposure contributes to anxiety on high-speed roads: two in five (41%) of new drivers admitted to feeling panicked when driving near HGVs.

The risk is not just theoretical. Department for Transport (DfT) figures show that in 2023, HGVs were involved in over 4,000 injury collisions, with a disproportionate number involving young or inexperienced drivers.

Inexperience, poor judgment, and lack of awareness of how larger vehicles operate are frequently cited factors in post-crash investigations.

Learning the lessons

Seb Goldin, CEO of Red Driver Training, stressed the importance of additional training.

“At Red, our priority is always to ensure that new drivers understand all the rules of the road, including correct behaviours on motorways and how to behave around larger vehicles,” he said.

“Experience is a major factor in driving safely on the motorway, and we would encourage all new or learner drivers to consider additional training, which involves motorway driving with an approved instructor.”

As traffic levels continue to rise, especially when it comes to online shopping, courier deliveries and road freight, the importance of safely sharing the road with HGVs has never been greater.

Campaigns like ‘Know the HGV Zones’ aim to reduce the toll on young drivers and promote safer roads for all.

Educating new and younger drivers about the issue of ‘blind spots’ is an essential area of driver and road safety training.