HGVs: a reminder.

[Dan B]

It's a difficult job to drive an artic on congested roads. I'm all for using the canals myself

Wouldn't they sink? I suppose most canals are not very deep, though

 

[jackthelad]

I dont see why the hgvs cannot be fitted with sensors with a bleep,when a bike or a pedestrian comes close.There could be a bleeper fitted at the tail another halfway etc so if a bike came up the inside with the 2 different bleeps the driver would know it was a cyclist,guess its not rocket science in this present day with all the electronics,or it could be done with cctv cameras with a watch screen inside

 

[Jimmy Doug]

Has anyone seen Police Camera Action - the latest series? I used to hate that programme, but it's become more "serious" now. They did an episode about driver fatigue. It's very worth watching as lorry driver fatigue has massive consequences not just for cyclists but for all road users. It's another thing to bear in mind when cycling near HGVs - even if you are in the driver's range of vision, he may be suffering from sleep deprivation and he might not register that you're there.

 

[Fnaar]

Good post there, Arch

 

[Bromptonaut]

I dont see why the hgvs cannot be fitted with sensors with a bleep,when a bike or a pedestrian comes close.There could be a bleeper fitted at the tail another halfway etc so if a bike came up the inside with the 2 different bleeps the driver would know it was a cyclist,guess its not rocket science in this present day with all the electronics,or it could be done with cctv cameras with a watch screen inside

Yaeh but there will be other things in the cab with audio prompts - indicators, reversing sensor, various fault warnings and other noises from outside as well. If the driver has sensory overload it's not going to help.

 

[abo]

You just need to look at redfalo's map of London cyclist deaths to realise what the danger is.

Lots of mentions of 'left-turning lorry'

 

[sdr gb]

I once saw a sign on the back of a HGV which said "If you can't see my mirrors, then I can't see you". Always keep this in mind now whether on the bike or in the car.

 

[Melonfish]

Nice post arch, one of my FIL's is a HGV driver and a cycle commuter to boot, he knows well the dangers of cyclists around articulated lorries and always keeps a good watch out.
that said he's had some hairy moments in the past!
the biggest one people don't realise is that due to the hight of the lorry sometimes you don't even notice cars/bikes in front of you until *CRUNCH* for instance at roundabouts etc.
happens to alot of HGV drivers that, your position in the road commands for a good frontal view but is obscured of whats directly in front of you.

basically don't sit in front of a hgv at lights or a roundabout even if there is an ASL! get behind and let it go.
pete

 

[Jimmy Doug]

I once saw a sign on the back of a HGV which said "If you can't see my mirrors, then I can't see you". Always keep this in mind now whether on the bike or in the car.

...and don't assume that just because you can see their mirrors then that means that you are seen.
Mabye I'm over the top, but these days I always wear a highly visible vest when cycling - a Ventura Night Vision dazzling yellow cycling shirt. Makes me feel much safer. Hopefully even stressed out, sleep deprived lorry (and car) drivers cannot fail to see me. But as good as the Night Vision is, I think I'm going to order myself one of these (hope you're wearing sun glasses!)

 

[Rhythm Thief]

hey did an episode about driver fatigue. It's very worth watching as lorry driver fatigue has massive consequences not just for cyclists but for all road users. It's another thing to bear in mind when cycling near HGVs - even if you are in the driver's range of vision, he may be suffering from sleep deprivation and he might not register that you're there.

It always struck me as a bit odd that, of all professions, the one with a long hours culture is lorry driving. I work nights now, where hours are generally shorter (and there are no managers to bother you!) but when I was working days in my last job, 15 hour days and 4am starts were very much the norm. This does nothing at all for your powers of concentration after a few weeks.

 

[Jimmy Doug]

I've often wondered that as well. I work in a school specialized in training people to work in the transport sector (managers of various levels). I now show them all the episode of Police Camera Action I mentioned above (called When Lorries Become Lethal) to help make them aware the eventual consequences that can ensue from pressurizing lorry drivers too much, or encouraging tachograph 'fixing' (a common practise, apparently). They tell me it's less of a problem in France, I wonder if they're naive.

 

[Arch]

Thanks everyone. If just one person reads it and realises something they didn't realise before, it worked. Oh, I've corrected a potentially misteading typo - I'd typed 'as if turning light', instead of 'left'. See, I can't get left and right sorted out!

Good points about having escape routes in case of poor driving, , about being invisible right under the windscreen and about it applying to buses too - any long vehicle basically. It was a bus that taught me the lesson about going up the left of left turning vehicles, about a dozen years ago. There were pedestrian railings, and I was lucky to only get my handlebars twisted.

I have a huge respect for anyone who can drive such a huge vehicle in congested towns. I get stressed enough in a car. And I know that the vast majority of such drivers are excellent. But a human being can only take in so much information, so extra cameras and mirrors and alerts only work up to a degree. Let's help the good guys by keeping out of their way, and help ourselves by giving the less good guys a wide berth...

 

[beatlejuice]

Thanks to Arch for your post. Being I am a driving buses and have driven arctics I would concur with you. I would just like to add please beware of the rear of buses. Rigid buses can be 12 metres long. To give them a reasonable turning circle there is a very long overhang behind the rear axle. When they do a tight turn the rear swings the opposite way.

 

[pshore]

I've never sat in a cab so have read the comments with great interest.

It's left me thinking that if a driver with great care and skill cannot safely manoeuvre these vehicles through our streets then they are unsuitable vehicles and should not be allowed or should require an escort.

It must be a complete mare if you are asked to drive a great arctic through London by your employer.

 

[Rhythm Thief]

It must be a complete mare if you are asked to drive a great arctic through London by your employer.

It's actually not that bad. I've driven artics around London quite a lot, and it's not as bad - surprisingly - as driving a Transit sized van. In an artic you're usually doing one or two drops, and it's accepted that there are some roads you just can't go down. In a Transit, you're usually doing around 15 drops, and half of them will be in pedestrian precincts or on Oxford Street, and it's just horrible. Give me a six axle artic any day of the week.
While there are blind spots, it's really just a matter of keeping your wits about you. I find that I watch my mirrors pretty carefully even when I'm waiting at traffic lights or junctions, and I'm religious about checking them before I set off. This way you can spot most things trying to creep up the inside of your trailer. But it certainly helps if cyclists and pedestrians are aware that there are some places we can't see very easily.