Day to day, LGV/HGV drivers face major challenges. Even if the route is the one you have driven through many times, challenging situations may arise and you need to be vigilant. For example, if there are road works or an accident on your route and the traffic is being diverted. The diverted route may cause many challenges. If you are on the motorway and are being diverted to side roads or country lanes and you may have to travel through villages, towns and cities that you are not familiar with. In these circumstances, let’s look at the challenges a LGV/HGV driver may face.
Some of the issues to consider may be:
- Is the diverted route suitable or your vehicle. Are there any low/narrow bridges?
- The extra time the diverted route might take
- Will your client or clients be open when you reach them?
- Are the goods you are transporting time or temperature dependant?
- What are the weather conditions? Minor roads may not be gritted
- Will you need a rest break and if so when and where will you take it?
- Will you need to refuel? If so where will you refuel?
- The safety of the workmen if there are roadworks
- What time will you get back?
- Are you travelling through Low Emission Zone?
- Some roads and bridges have weight limits? Do you know the weight of your lorry when loaded and when empty?
The transport manager may already know of the roads works on your journey and may have adviced you but may not be aware of the accidents on the route. If you are on a diverted route, it may be wise to stop at the first appropriate site and re-evaluate your journey. You may plan your journey using LGV/HGV-specific road atlas or other apps. Although SAT Nav is useful, it will not help you plan your journey as it will not cater for low bridges or inappropriate roads for LGV/HGV drivers. There are apps available which are dedicated for LGV/HGV drivers like Webfleet , Co-Pilot and many others. We do not recommend or endorse any particular device. Please review your requirements and investigate which device meets them. A suitable navigation tool will help plan the new diverted route for you. Getting to your destination in the safe and quickest time possible will save you money and keep your customers satisfied.
Inform your office or transport manager and your clients as well. The other important factor to consider is the time the diverted route will take. By law and for Health and safety reasons, you need to take a break of at least 45 minutes after driving for 4.5 hours. The diverted route usually takes longer and hence you may need to consider where you are going to stop for a break. You may not know where you can stop on a diverted route. Again there are apps available to help you find the appropriate place to stop.
Another major hazard on a route new to you is the low bridges, often going under railway lines. Figures from Network Rail reveal approximately 1800 bridge strikes per year in UK, costing the tax payer £23 million a year. Research shows that 43% of lorry drivers admit to not measuring the vehicle height while more than 52% report not taking low bridges into account. Striking a low bridge would endanger lives and cause massive disruption to the road and rail network. Therefore all drivers should know their vehicle height when loaded and unloaded. Always err on the side of caution when approaching a low bridge. For more information, read Drivers ON Demand blog entitled “Low Bridge Strikes by Vehicles at Unacceptable Levels”
Another issue which is very easy to overlook is the Highway Code. On the diverted route, the LGV/HGV driver may encounter signs that are usually not on the normal route. It is important that any driver, no matter what vehicle they drive is aware of Highway Code.
Planning the best route will save time and money and will keep your customer happy and is good for future business prospects. There are so many tools available for the HGV/LGV drivers and training and keeping up to date is vital.
Useful Links
Best Truck Sat Nav 2021 – UK Buyer’s Guide
HGV Route Planner Apps – Comparing the Best 10 Apps
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