Council takes action on cycle deaths with HGV driver training

05 November 2008

Lorry and bus drivers working for the London Borough of Lambeth are to be sent for special training in cycling road safety to help cut road deaths involving cyclists and HGVs.

Drivers of refuse vehicles, school buses and other HGVs at the council will undergo classroom and practical on-road cycle training to highlight the dangers posed to cyclists caught up in lorries’ blind spots.

Signs on the back of Lambeth’s fleet will help further by warning cyclists of the dangers of cycling on the inside of a lorry or bus.

While figures show that cycling in Lambeth is getting safer, more than half of all cycle deaths on London’s roads follow a collision with a goods vehicle, and a cyclist was killed in Streatham in April after a collision with a truck.

Cllr Sally Prentice, Lambeth Council cabinet member for Environment, said: 'Half of all cycling fatalities involve heavy goods vehicles. While there have been no incidents involving cyclists and vehicles driven by Lambeth staff in recent years, we are making sure our drivers get specific training that makes them more aware of the dangers their can lorries pose. We hope that other organisations that employ HGV drivers follow our lead.'

Developed in partnership with the council’s environmental contractor, Veolia Environmental Services, and Cycle Training UK, the training will start this month.

Classroom sessions will see drivers taught how to anticipate cyclists' behaviour on the road and to minimise the danger. Practical on road and off road training will then have the drivers use bikes in order to give them greater understanding about cycling.

VES' senior contracts manager Robert Sear said: 'In a large vehicle like a refuse truck it is imperative for drivers to be fully aware not only of what is in front and behind them, but also what is riding alongside. 'Initiatives such as this scheme are excellent in reinforcing safety and awareness training to drivers which complements the already extensive procedures we have in place.'

The move coincides with National Road Safety Week (10-14th Nov) and complements the council's HGV awareness sessions for cyclists. These invite cyclists to climb into lorry cabs to see how drivers’ views are restricted.

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