HGVs Are Motorway-Safe, Says FTA.

FTA, the UK’s largest membership association in the logistics sector, has spoken out to reassure drivers that HGVs have never been more motorway-safe. The move follows the publication of a Brake survey, which revealed increased HGV motorway traffic prompted anxiety about safety among other drivers.

“The driver perceptions Brake has focused on are not reflective of reality. In fact in the last six years the number of people killed or seriously injured in incidents with HGVs on motorways in Britain has reduced by over 15%” commented Christopher Snelling, Head of UK Policy at FTA.

“Contrary to public perception, the amount of freight being transported on UK motorways has only marginally increased (2.6%) over the last 11 years, it has only just reached the pre-recession levels of a decade ago” commented Christopher Snelling, Head of UK Policy at FTA. “We want to take this opportunity to reassure motorway users that safety is the number one priority of the HGV industry”.

“Freight transport provides a vital service to the UK economy, from delivering the equipment needed to keep hospitals running to stocking supermarkets with goods, and motorway travel makes this possible, keeping larger vehicles away from villages and towns served by smaller roads. Of course, like all other road users, HGV operators must be vigilant and alert at all times, and take every opportunity to keep Britain’s roads as safe as possible – the nation’s logistics drivers are subject to the highest level of testing and compliance of any road user, and provide a vital service without which our economy would stall.”

The study by the road safety charity found more than three-quarters of drivers believe too much freight is being transported on our motorways, citing concerns around safety. However, other independent research shows HGV motorway traffic has only increased by 2.6 per cent in 11 years, and motorway accidents involving these vehicles has fallen significantly

Figures taken from Road Traffic Statistics and Reported Road Casualties reveal:

– In 2016, HGV motorway traffic reached the 2007 pre-recession level of 7.7 billion vehicle miles and increased by 2.6 per cent to reach 7.9 billion vehicle miles in 2017.

– The proportional involvement of HGVs in motorway accidents (all severities) has fallen from 13.1 per cent in 2007 to 9.9 in 2016 despite the same amount of HGV traffic on motorways. Involvement in fatal motorway accidents has also fallen slightly over the same period.

– The number of fatalities and individuals seriously injured also shows a downward trend in the past few years. In 2011, 22 people were killed and 41 were seriously injured as a result of motorway accidents (including pedestrians) involving HGVs, by 2016 this number had reduced to 15 and 37 respectively

Efficient logistics is vital to keep Britain trading, directly having an impact on more than seven million people employed in the making, selling and moving of goods. With Brexit, new technology and other disruptive forces driving change in the way goods move across borders and through the supply chain, logistics has never been more important to UK plc. A champion and challenger, FTA speaks to Government with one voice on behalf of the whole sector, with members from the road, rail, sea and air industries, as well as the buyers of freight services such as retailers and manufacturers.

For more information on FTA, please visit www.fta.co.uk

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