A motorcyclist has captured on film the moment he came face to face with HGV danger and lived to tell the tale.
If you thought HGV danger was limited to becoming trapped on the nearside, think again. Shocking new footage on YouTube reveals that a left turning lorry is as much of a threat to those in oncoming traffic as it is to those travelling in the same direction.
A stationary motorcyclist waiting at lights in a side road in central London is struck head on by a 16-ton lorry turning left. The driver is completely unaware of the motorcyclist, who has a miraculous escape. With the motorcycle trapped beneath the wheels of the lorry the driver eventually gets out of his cab. It is left to a passer by to check whether the motorcyclist is ok – the driver seems more concerned with the condition of his lorry.
The footage serves as a warning not only to those on motorbikes, but cyclist and pedestrians. Britain suffers a disproportionately high number of road traffic collisions involving heavy goods vehicles. Over half of cyclist deaths in London involved lorries. The best advice is to assume that you have not been seen by the HGV driver – multiple blind spots means there’s a good chance you haven’t.
HGV danger
Strict regulations are imposed in order to create a level playing field for truck companies across Europe – a practice that has stifled improvements in design that could improve fuel efficiency, but more importantly, safety for other road users. A new bill promises to allow manufacturers to build heavier and larger trucks on the proviso they reduce HGV danger and use less fuel. This would be achieved by transforms brick-shaped lorry cabs into a rounded shape with bigger windows to reduce blind spots.
The European parliament is asking for the rules to come into force as soon as possible, but representatives from France and Sweden – both home to large truck manufacturers – are requesting to postpone it for at least 8 years.
According to Transport & Environment senior advisor William Todts: “The truck industry is operating like a cartel. They try to kill innovation and competition but may end up killing real people too. New curvy truck designs could save up to 900 lives every year and actually save businesses money.”
Euro breakdown cover for motorbikes
For short-term riding trips in Europe, ETA Euro breakdown cover offers the best value for money on the market. With English-speaking helplines and assistance available 24/7 you can rest assured that help is at hand should you break down abroad. Providing that your bike is less than 20 years old, and your trip is no longer than 31 days in total, then you’re eligible for cover.
Cover includes car or motorcycle hire for up to 14 days (up to £60 per day). If your bike cannot be repaired within 72 hours we will arrange for it to be repatriated to your home.
As well as being 100% carbon neutral, breakdown cover from the ETA offers an unparalleled level of service.
The ethical choice
The ETA was established in 1990 as an ethical provider of green, reliable travel services. Over 30 years on, we continue to offer cycle insurance , breakdown cover and mobility scooter insurance while putting concern for the environment at the heart of all we do.
The Good Shopping Guide judges us to be the UK’s most ethical provider.
Jim Clark
For years now I’ve thought Large goods vehicles should be banned from towns and cities, danger, traffic chaos and pollution being the reason. There should be a distribution depot on the outskirts of every town and goods then transported to their destination by electric trucks of a size to suit the load and final destination. But of course the road haulage lobby wont like it and human lives cut short by accident or fumes are far less important than a quick buck.