Road Safety

What is the national speed limit for HGVs (over 7.5 tonnes) on dual carriageways in the UK?

• A50 mph
• B56 mph✓
• C60 mph
• D70 mph

Answer: HGVs over 7.5 tonnes are limited to 56 mph on dual carriageways. Cars can do 70 mph, but HGVs are restricted for safety reasons.

What is the speed limit for HGVs on motorways?

• A50 mph
• B56 mph✓
• C60 mph
• D70 mph

Answer: HGVs over 7.5 tonnes are limited to 56 mph on motorways. This is lower than cars (70 mph) due to braking and control limitations.

What is the stopping distance for an HGV at 50 mph in dry conditions?

• A40 metres
• B60 metres
• C80 metres✓
• D100 metres

Answer: At 50 mph, an HGV typically needs 80 metres to stop (40m thinking + 40m braking). Heavier vehicles need significantly longer.

When is it safe to overtake another HGV?

• AWhenever there's space
• BOn the hard shoulder
• COnly on clear, well-sighted sections with adequate distance✓
• DOnly in emergency situations

Answer: Overtaking HGVs requires excellent visibility, adequate distance, and clear road ahead. Never use hard shoulders. Allow plenty of space for safe passing.

What is the two-second rule?

• AKeep 2 seconds behind other vehicles
• BCheck mirrors every 2 seconds
• CA time gap that maintains safe following distance
• DBoth A and C✓

Answer: The two-second rule means maintaining a time gap of at least 2 seconds behind the vehicle ahead. In poor conditions, increase this to 10 seconds.

How should a driver adjust their following distance in wet conditions?

• ANo change needed
• BReduce distance due to better traction
• CIncrease to 10 seconds or more✓
• DIncrease to 4 seconds

Answer: In wet conditions, increase the following distance to at least 10 seconds. Wet roads significantly reduce braking efficiency.

What is the risk of sudden steering movements in a loaded HGV?

• AIt's safe and improves control
• BIt can cause load shift, rollover, or jack-knifing✓
• CIt reduces stopping distance
• DNo significant risk

Answer: Sudden steering in a loaded HGV can shift the load to one side, cause the vehicle to rollover (especially on curves), or jackknife a trailer.

What is a 'blind spot' in relation to HGVs?

• AAn area the driver cannot see in mirrors
• BOnly on the right side of the vehicle
• CAn area directly in front of the cab
• DAreas not visible in mirrors where other vehicles can hide✓

Answer: Blind spots are areas not visible in any mirror. HGVs have large blind spots on the right, left, and directly in front. Always assume vehicles are there.

When is lane discipline most important for an HGV?

• AOn motorways
• BIn fog
• CAlways, especially on motorways and busy roads✓
• DOnly at night

Answer: Staying in the correct lane is critical for all drivers but especially HGV drivers who take up more space and have limited visibility.

How should a driver handle a skid in an HGV?

• AApply brakes hard
• BSteer hard in the opposite direction
• CEase off throttle, steer gently in direction of skid, avoid braking✓
• DKeep steering straight

Answer: In a skid, ease off the accelerator, steer gently into the skid direction, and avoid heavy braking. Hard braking or steering worsens the skid.

What should a driver do when approaching a pedestrian crossing?

• AMaintain speed if pedestrians are not crossing
• BSlow down and be prepared to stop✓
• CSound the horn continuously
• DSpeed up if clear

Answer: Always slow down at pedestrian crossings and be ready to stop. Never assume crossings are clear, and always be alert for pedestrians.

Why are cyclists and motorcyclists particularly at risk around HGVs?

• AThey're faster than HGVs
• BThey hide in blind spots and are easily knocked over✓
• CThey don't obey traffic rules
• DThere's no particular risk

Answer: Cyclists and motorcyclists are invisible in HGV blind spots and extremely vulnerable to being knocked down or crushed.