January 19, 2023 Driver Welfare Key to Improving HGV Accident Rates

A new analysis by SNAP reveals how collision rates could be improved by prioritising driver wellbeing.

As truck drivers face the combined pressures of long shifts, hazardous weather, and darker nights, latest insights reveal how collision rates could be improved by prioritising driver wellbeing.

In a new analysis of ONS data, SNAP, the haulage industry’s leading smart payment provider, has discovered that over 40% of HGV road accidents within the UK come down to driver error or reaction time.

While the UK faces a growing epidemic of industrial and strike-action, the factors responsible for the most HGV collisions suggest that prioritising driver welfare could also be a key step toward reducing accident rates.

One in four truck drivers involved in reported HGV crashes were found to have failed to look properly, while one in seven were unable to properly judge the other driver’s path or speed – factors which could be combatted with appropriate measures in place to enhance the safety and wellbeing of drivers.

Mark Garner, Managing Director at SNAP comments, “Fleet managers have the challenge of accommodating the rise in demand for haulage whilst also ensuring the safety of their drivers which should always be the number one priority.

“Ensuring that truck drivers are able to take regular breaks from driving so that they can avoid tiredness and fatigue at the wheel is paramount. This is why SNAP has released the Intruck app, designed to support fleet managers, featuring over 5,000 truck stops across the UK and rest of Europe, so drivers can plan their breaks in advance and keep their concentration on the road ahead.”

Taking a look at where in the UK haulage professionals are the most at risk, SNAP can reveal the South East as home to the country’s most hazardous roads, with an average 198 HGV road casualties occurring in the region each year. Breaking this down further, Kent tops the list at county-level, followed by Lincolnshire, Surrey, Cambridgeshire, and Essex.

With 52 HGV road casualties in the area in 2021, Kent County Council is currently proposing a target for zero road fatalities across the Kent Highway Network by 2050, citing zero deaths as the only appropriate target. Consultations for ‘Vision Zero’ are ongoing until March this year, presenting an opportunity for driver welfare to be taken into consideration.

Accident rates are starting to improve across the UK however and have already decreased by 47% in the last ten years, including 23% less fatal HGV collisions. Whilst this suggests that developments to roads and vehicle technology have helped reduce the number of crashes, incorporating measures that target driver welfare will mean that the key contributory factors of HGV accidents are being addressed and prioritise the safety of haulage professionals moving forward.

For more information about SNAP’s vast network of truck stops, and to find your nearest location, please visit: www.snapacc.com/locations.

About SNAP:

SNAP Account offer smart payment and online account management services, connecting the road transport industry through technology, security and an extensive European network.

The service is used every 15 seconds by one of the 150,000 truck drivers using SNAP’s payment system. Transactions occur across a network of over 420 truck parking and washing locations throughout the UK and Europe.

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