HGV vs cyclist

[BlackPanther]

As an HGV driver, the only time I've seen cyclists do this is in city centres. I've had it a couple of times in Sheffield, even when I've clearly been signalling left. Yes of course I check my mirrors. The blind spot mirror, if properly adjusted, does show all down the side of the lorry, so the drivers should see the cyclist. However, as the mirrors protrude out quite far, they're easy to knock on bushes/trees etc, so if a driver can't pull up and reset them they won't show the full picture.

To sum up, if the driver doesn't look, or their mirror isn't set right, or if they're a Johhny Foreigner right hand drive they won't see a cyclist? It's just not worth the risk under any circumstance! More ads like this on tv please.

 

[gaz]

However, as the mirrors protrude out quite far, they're easy to knock on bushes/trees etc, so if a driver can't pull up and reset them they won't show the full picture.

Isn't there something in the RTA about driving without mirrors correctly set up. From memory the driver should stop and adjust them as it is crucial for use on the road.

 

[BlackPanther]

Isn't there something in the RTA about driving without mirrors correctly set up. From memory the driver should stop and adjust them as it is crucial for use on the road.

Of course they should, and I do. However, not everone's as safety concious as me and someone in a stressfull job (mine's a piece of cake) rushing around in heavy traffic may just carry on until they have to stop anyway. What I'm saying is NEVER assume that ANY driver is competant, observant, sound of mind, sane, sober, etc etc.

 

[dondare]

A lorry could have more mirrors than Versailles and I still wouldn't assume that the driver could see me or anything else for that matter. Last year a lorry pulled out onto Oxford Street and knocked over a great big bright red double-decker bus. The driver hadn't seen it. Trixie-mirrors? Fresnel lenses? Pah!

 

[thomas]

Isn't there something in the RTA about driving without mirrors correctly set up. From memory the driver should stop and adjust them as it is crucial for use on the road.

yeah, but if everyone followed the laws of the road there wouldn't be a single accident on the roads

A lorry could have more mirrors than Versailles and I still wouldn't assume that the driver could see me or anything else for that matter. Last year a lorry pulled out onto Oxford Street and knocked over a great big bright red double-decker bus. The driver hadn't seen it. Trixie-mirrors? Fresnel lenses? Pah!

Lots of mirrors are great....if the driver looks in them

 

[ohnovino]

Great videos, but I think non-cyclists would see it as "cycling's dangerous" rather than "undertaking lorries is dangerous", which isn't ideal if TfL are trying to encourage more people to ride.

Slightly OT, but I've just been recommended this video on YouTube. It doesn't try to apportion blame, it's not too scary and it explains things really clearly. I'd like to see this shown on TV again, even if it is 30 years old:

[media]
]View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0VEVVtaBDI[/media]

 

[thomas]

Great videos, but I think non-cyclists would see it as "cycling's dangerous" rather than "undertaking lorries is dangerous", which isn't ideal if TfL are trying to encourage more people to ride.

Slightly OT, but I've just been recommended this video on YouTube. It doesn't try to apportion blame, it's not too scary and it explains things really clearly. I'd like to see this shown on TV again, even if it is 30 years old:

[media]
]View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0VEVVtaBDI[/media]

That is probably the best cycle awareness film I've seen. Certainly the only real issue I have is people overtaking closely, and while the film is dated, it shows most of the problems with overtaking closely in a really easy to understand way.

 

[Bottom Bracket]

As an HGV driver, the only time I've seen cyclists do this is in city centres. I've had it a couple of times in Sheffield, even when I've clearly been signalling left. Yes of course I check my mirrors. The blind spot mirror, if properly adjusted, does show all down the side of the lorry, so the drivers should see the cyclist. However, as the mirrors protrude out quite far, they're easy to knock on bushes/trees etc, so if a driver can't pull up and reset them they won't show the full picture.

To sum up, if the driver doesn't look, or their mirror isn't set right, or if they're a Johhny Foreigner right hand drive they won't see a cyclist? It's just not worth the risk under any circumstance! More ads like this on tv please.

I'm newly signed up on this forum, but I too drive HGVs, and so this thread kind of leapt off the screen!

I agree with you that, if the mirrors are properly set, then, contrary to popular opinion, lorries have no blind spot

But have you ever tried telling another lorry driver that he has his mirrors set up wrongly? No chance!

If anybody in the cycling fraternity could provide me with the opportunity, I would be able to demonstrate that it is possible for any HGV driver to remain stationary, parallel to the kerb, and follow the progress of a pedestrian or cyclist, from a long way down the street, all the way down the length of the trailer, and underneath the nearside cab window until he or she emerges in front of the HGV and clear of danger. At no time is it unavoidable that the pedestrian or cyclist would disappear from the driver's view

It works in exactly the same way if the vehicle is moving - it's just harder to demonstrate!

Bottom Bracket

 

[Spokesmann]

I see no point in posting the link to these videos.

 

[Bottom Bracket]

I see no point in posting the link to these videos.

Is your post aimed at me?

My intention was to suggest that, if lorry drivers were properly trained, then 'blind spots' would not be a problem

I have tried many many times over the years to demonstrate to other HGV drivers that it is easy to eliminate 'blind spots' by setting the mirrors correctly - unfortunately, my success rate is precisely zero!

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[Tynan]

as other have said, I think, are those mirrors really realistic?

even so the cyclist is clearly there at the moment the driver should be checking his left side, I check the mirror wheneber I make a turn in the car, it's easy to do, never mind being aware of other road users generallly

the simple problem is that a lot of driver can;t be bothered

I find truck drivers and bus drivers n London excellent, they have to be given the antics of some cyclists, I used to ride a scooter around the north circ and again found hgv drivers very alert and aware, it's ever ever people in a regular car with no excuse at all that don;t care

never mind peds with full vision and a neck

 

[BentMikey]

I think we'd all agree that HGV drivers are by and large amongst the best on the road. There are a few bad eggs though, and with them, the damage and destruction and death they cause is at least newsworthy.

I personally think the main cause of dead cyclists in lorry incidents will be due to aggressive and bad driving by those few bad eggs.

 

[Bottom Bracket]

I think we'd all agree that HGV drivers are by and large amongst the best on the road

I only signed up to this site today, and I really don't wish to be controversial, but I have spent many years in the company of HGV drivers, and the majority of them are idiots who care nothing for other road users

Sorry about the rant!

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[BentMikey]

I only signed up to this site today, and I really don't wish to be controversial, but I have spent many years in the company of HGV drivers, and the majority of them are idiots who care nothing for other road users

Sorry about the rant!

Bottom Bracket

LOL, I guess it's possible, I'm just going from my own anecdotal experience. Then again, you get the Dennis Putz's and so on.

 

[Tynan]

hgvs good, tipper trucks bad?