Road Haulage Training Outfit Gives Sensible Safety Advice to Cyclists and HGV Freight Drivers

UK – A lot has been made lately regarding the adoption and enforcement of safety measures appertaining to the relationship between cyclists and HGV truck drivers, much of it spawned unfortunately as a result of some truly horrific incidents. London tends to be the main focus for initiatives such as Transport for London’s (TfL) Cycle Safety Action Plan and the Metropolitan Police, Greater London Authority (GLA) and Crossrail Operation Safeway and Exchanging Places initiatives. The problems associated with freight delivery vehicles and two wheelers sharing roads, particularly in urban areas, know no borders however.

Now Bradford headquartered Freight Train, the driver training services and transport consultancy offshoot of road haulage operator Freightlink Europe, has taken steps to educate both parties in what unfortunately is often viewed as a two sided argument rather than a problem which can be drastically reduced by a little cooperation and understanding from all concerned.

The initiative is driven by Road Haulage Association (RHA) board member Lesley O’Brien who runs both the West Yorkshire outfits and the guidance comes in the form of a video and an online leaflet, each ideal as educational tools, and which seek to raise awareness of the circumstances that sometimes lead to incidents between cyclists and trucks. The guidance also suggests that haulage operators put in place a vulnerable road users policy to help drivers and other staff understand how road safety can be promoted, something which is now viewed by many as absolutely essential for any sizeable trucking group.

As one would expect from a Yorkshire lass, Lesley’s commentary on the video makes absolute common sense and she does not pontificate or take either side, whilst her script and tones fit the message perfectly as she and others go over what should be obvious points, yet any one of which, if neglected, could cost one life and ruin another.