Safer trucks: Protecting vulnerable road users

It has long been known that lorries, trucks and other large vehicles pose a higher risk on our roads, particularly to vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and cyclists. The latest road data published by the UK Department for Transport shows that, unsurprisingly, Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) have the highest rate (per mile travelled) of fatality risk to other road users.

Our 12th Allianz Motor Day focused on increasing protection for vulnerable road users. Data released by the Allianz Center for Technology revealed that in Germany HGVs and Large Goods Vehicles were involved in 22% of traffic accidents where someone was killed.

The data highlighted some of the most dangerous scenarios for vulnerable road users. For example when are lorries reversing out of driveways or when trucks turn right on a German road (of course this would be turning left on a UK road).

As part of the study, Allianz Center for Technology surveyed HGV drivers in the UK, 16% of which said that they experience a dangerous conflict with vulnerable road users, such as cyclists and pedestrians, every day, and 32% of them at least once a week. The study also concluded that a third of accidents between trucks and cyclists or pedestrians could be avoided with readily available technology.

UK and EU laws have been developed over the years to enhance road safety, reduce accidents and mitigate the impact of incidents involving large vehicles. Some of these directives like CPC or The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986 address aspects such as drivers qualifications and the technical standards of vehicle construction. 

In 2022, aligned with their ‘ Vision Zero’ pledge to achieve zero road fatalities by 2050, the EU released the new Vehicle General Safety Regulation which introduced new safety measures for all vehicles. These apply to all new HGVs over 3,500kg built since 7 July 2024 and include safety features such as intelligent speed assistance, reversing detection with camera or sensors and technologies for recognising blind spots. 

However, although new safety measures were being implemented, it wasn’t until November 2024 when independent safety ratings for HGVs where implemented by Euro NCAP.

Started in 1996, the European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP) provides a consumer-focused rating system, giving an overall safety rating over five stars, assessing the safety of adult and child occupants, vulnerable road users and safety assist for all cars and light commercial vehicles (LCV).  You can check all ratings for cars and small vans here: Euro NCAP | How Safe is Your Car?

As part of their subscription to the Vision Zero mission to eliminate all traffic fatalities and serious injuries, in 2024 Euro NCAP released a Truck Safe assessment programme. The introduction of this new, first of a kind European framework provides valuable insight for fleet operators as part of their risk management assessment.

Having tested nine tractor units that represent 95% of this sector on European roads, assessing three areas: Safe Driving, Crash Avoidance and Post Crash Safety, this new rating system is an important addition to vehicle ratings which will help raise safety standards.

The first report looks at each of the models individually, and presents a Truck Rating Overview that compares features across seven manufacturers. Additionally, Euro NCAP has introduced a CitySafe accreditation for trucks that feature technologies or design that help prevent accidents in city centres. You can browse all available Commercial Truck Ratings here: Euro NCAP | Truck ratings

As advocated at Allianz Motor Day, the only way to look ahead to a safer future is to continue to harmonise regulatory requirements and exceed the current legal standards. Truck manufacturers should make full use of existing technologies such as Advanced driver-assistance system (ADAS) and active braking systems that should always be switched on. Comprehensive data sharing will also be crucial so that manufacturers, drivers, fleet managers and insurers have a full understanding of installed safety systems to manage risk.