Give Trucks Room: Why UK Car, Van, and Bike Drivers Must Respect HGV Blind Spots and Manoeuvres
Every road user in the UK shares responsibility for safety, but many car, van, and motorbike drivers underestimate the risks when they fail to give trucks room. Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) play a vital role in keeping the country moving. From supermarket deliveries to construction materials, lorries are the backbone of the economy. Yet too often, accidents occur because drivers of smaller vehicles don’t understand how trucks operate or the space they require.
Learning why it’s important to give trucks room, and adapting your own driving habits around them, can make the difference between a safe journey and a dangerous situation. This article explores the challenges HGV drivers face, the blind spots every motorist should know, and the simple habits that help make UK roads safer for everyone.
Why Giving Trucks Room Matters
HGVs are not like cars or motorbikes. They are larger, heavier, and slower to respond. A fully loaded lorry can weigh up to 44 tonnes, compared with 1.5 tonnes for the average car. This sheer difference in size and stopping power means trucks need far more space to brake, accelerate, and turn.
When car, van, or bike drivers don’t give trucks room, the consequences can be serious:
Rear-end collisions: Tailgating or cutting in too closely can leave no time for either driver to react.
Sideswipes and blind spot accidents: Many crashes occur because smaller vehicles linger where the HGV driver cannot see them.
Turning conflicts: Cars and cyclists trying to squeeze through as a lorry swings wide are often hit by the trailer or trapped against kerbs.
The truth is simple: trucks cannot manoeuvre like cars, and other road users must allow extra space if they want to stay safe.
HGV Blind Spots: The Danger Zones Around Lorries
One of the biggest risks on UK roads comes from blind spots around HGVs. Despite mirrors and, increasingly, cameras, truck drivers cannot see every angle. That’s why it’s crucial to give trucks room and avoid sitting in areas where you are invisible.
Key HGV blind spots include:
Directly behind the truck: If you follow too closely, the driver won’t know you’re there. You’re also at risk if the truck brakes suddenly.
Along both sides: The passenger side (left-hand side in the UK) is particularly dangerous. Cyclists and motorcyclists are at high risk here, especially at junctions.
Right in front of the cab: Trucks have a long bonnet and elevated seating position, meaning the driver can’t see vehicles directly below the windscreen. Stopping distances also make this area extremely hazardous.
Many drivers assume that being “in front” or “alongside” makes them visible, but unless you can see the truck driver’s mirrors, they cannot see you. Respecting these blind spots and remembering to give trucks room is one of the most effective ways to prevent accidents.
Why Trucks Swing Wide When Turning
If you’ve ever seen a lorry swing into two lanes at a junction or roundabout, it isn’t careless driving – it’s necessity. Trucks have long trailers and wide turning circles. To navigate safely, they often need to move out before cutting in.
Unfortunately, some car and bike drivers misinterpret this movement as hesitation and try to squeeze through the gap. This is one of the leading causes of serious collisions, particularly involving cyclists on the nearside.
Common mistakes around turning trucks include:
Overtaking or sneaking up the inside when a truck is making a left turn.
Blocking space in front of a lorry waiting to turn.
Obstructing reversing areas near delivery bays.
The rule is straightforward: if a truck is turning, manoeuvring, or reversing, give trucks room until they are safely clear.
Who Causes the Risk?
While HGVs are sometimes blamed for being intimidating on the road, road safety studies show that in many truck-related collisions, smaller vehicle drivers are at fault. This isn’t usually due to recklessness but to a lack of awareness of how lorries operate.
Risky behaviours often seen:
Cutting sharply in front of a truck and braking suddenly.
Driving in blind spots for long periods.
Undertaking trucks on motorways.
Trying to overtake a truck as it approaches a roundabout or junction.
The reality is that HGVs are driven by trained professionals who undergo strict testing and monitoring. But even the best driver cannot compensate for others failing to give trucks room.
Safe Driving Tips Around Trucks
Staying safe near lorries doesn’t require advanced skills – just a few simple habits. These UK truck safety tips can make every journey safer:
Avoid blind spots – Always position your car, van, or bike where the driver can see you. Remember: no mirrors, no visibility.
Don’t tailgate – Leave extra space behind a truck to allow for braking and to avoid being in their rear blind spot.
Never undertake – Especially on motorways, where undertaking is both unsafe and illegal in many situations.
Give turning trucks space – Stay back and don’t attempt to pass while a lorry is swinging wide.
Be patient – Lorries accelerate slowly and take time to manoeuvre. Pressuring them only increases risks.
By following these steps and remembering to give trucks room, you protect not only yourself but also vulnerable road users like cyclists and pedestrians.
Sharing the Road with Trucks: A Wider Responsibility
Truck drivers have a tough job. They spend long hours behind the wheel, navigating congested cities, motorways, and rural lanes. They are trained to high safety standards, but their vehicles’ size creates unavoidable challenges.
As other road users, our responsibility is to understand those challenges and adapt our behaviour accordingly. When we give trucks room, we reduce pressure on HGV drivers, allow them to work more safely, and contribute to smoother, less stressful traffic flow.
This isn’t just courtesy – it’s about preventing injuries and saving lives.
The Human Cost of Not Giving Trucks Room
Every year, collisions involving HGVs lead to deaths and serious injuries on UK roads. In many cases, investigations reveal that the truck driver did not even see the smaller vehicle until the crash occurred. The impact of such accidents is devastating – not only for victims and their families but also for professional drivers who are left traumatised by incidents they could not avoid.
Choosing to give trucks room means choosing to prevent tragedies. It is one of the simplest yet most powerful contributions everyday drivers can make to road safety.
Practical Everyday Reminders
To keep the message clear, here are quick takeaways to repeat before every journey:
Trucks need more space than you think.
If you can’t see the truck driver’s mirrors, they can’t see you.
Never cut in front of an HGV and brake.
Stay clear when lorries are turning or reversing.
Above all, always give trucks room to manoeuvre safely.
Final Word for UK Road Users
Motor Bridge advises that whether you are a car driver on the M25, a motorcyclist filtering through city traffic, or a van driver delivering in rural areas, the message remains the same:
Trucks have bigger blind spots.
Trucks need extra braking distance.
Trucks cannot turn tightly or stop on a dime.
By respecting these realities and choosing to give trucks room, you not only protect yourself but also support the thousands of professional drivers who keep the UK supplied and moving.
Respect the road. Respect the truck. Stay smart. Stay safe. The Motor Bridge way.
