The performance and training of HGV drivers of vehicles over 7.5 tonnes was investigated. The injury accident involvement rate for lorries exceeds the rate for cars, is higher for rigid than for articulated lorries, and is higher for heavier rigid lorries. Car occupants are by far the biggest group injured. Lorry driver injuries generally relate to jack-knifing or rollover accidents. A considerable number of accidents involving lorries occur at the workplace during vehicle manoeuvres, but an equal number of lorry drivers are injured through falling from their vehicles. A literature review showed that additional training reduces accidents and costs, that there is a clear link between driver fatigue and accidents, that drivers are ill informed about sleep disorders, that drivers' hours regulations are abused, that commercial drivers suffer considerably higher stress than the general population, that accident prone drivers should be screened out using tests, that more experienced drivers are safer drivers, and that accidents involving cars and lorries are more likely under poor visibility conditions. Suggestions include promotion of the use of safety belts, better cab strength and crashworthiness, and making lane changing safer by better use of mirrors and signalling. It is considered that training may be undermined by company policies. For the covering abstract see ITRD E124157.
Abstract