HGV's from foreign countries cause millions of pounds worth of accidents
Date: 07 May 2008
Haulage trucks from abroad are causing £52 million worth of accidents each year, it has emerged.
Research by accident management specialists Accident Exchange suggests that the number of crashes caused annually by the freight vehicles could be as many as 9,800.
Further data from the company reveals that foreign lorries are now responsible for one out of every 350 accidents, costing haulage companies £2.8 million in lost working hours.
A common cause of accidents is "side sweeping" due to the blind spot on the left-hand side of heavy goods vehicles (HGVs).
"The awareness of British drivers to the dangers is just as important if this figure is to be reduced," said the company's chief executive Steve Evans.
"Too few UK motorists realise that left-hand drive HGVs are unable to see vehicles overtaking them on the right. A greater appreciation would help."
Meanwhile, in other news, the Road Haulage Association has welcomed the government's decision to prevent Eastern European companies from entering the UK haulage market until May 2009.
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