Roads Policing Message

Sharing the Road Safely:

Protecting Pedestrians and Cyclists Around Heavy Goods Vehicles

Understanding blind spots, anticipating danger and making our roads safer for everyone

Heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) are essential to Ireland’s economy, transporting goods to our shops, businesses, farms and homes. However, their size, weight and design present particular risks to pedestrians and cyclists. A collision involving an HGV can have devastating consequences, even when the vehicle is travelling at a relatively low speed.

As more people walk and cycle for work, education, exercise and everyday journeys, it is vital that all road users understand how to share the road safely. Advice from An Garda Síochána consistently highlights one key message: never assume that an HGV driver has seen you.

One of the greatest dangers associated with HGVs is the area around the vehicle that cannot be seen by the driver, either directly through the windows or indirectly through the mirrors and other equipment. These are known as blind spots.

Unlike a car, an HGV has a high cab, a long body and a large area around it in which pedestrians and cyclists can become completely hidden from the driver's view. Mirrors and cameras improve visibility, but they cannot guarantee that every person near the vehicle will be seen.

There are four particularly important danger zones:

• Directly in front: A pedestrian crossing close in front of a high-cab truck may be hidden from the driver. An Garda Síochána has highlighted demonstrations showing that a pedestrian can be invisible from the driver's position even several metres in front of the vehicle.
• Along the passenger side: In Ireland, this is the left-hand side of the vehicle. It is especially dangerous when an HGV is turning left, as a cyclist travelling alongside may be caught between the vehicle and the kerb or drawn into the vehicle's turning path.
• Alongside the cab and rear wheels: The driver's view of people travelling beside the vehicle can be restricted. The rear wheels may follow a tighter path than the front wheels, potentially moving closer to the kerb during a turn.
• Behind the vehicle: The driver may have limited or no direct view of someone immediately behind the HGV. Reversing and moving away from a stop can therefore create serious risks.

The most dangerous situations often arise at junctions, roundabouts, pedestrian crossings, traffic lights and entrances to premises. An HGV may appear to be travelling straight ahead before turning across the path of a cyclist or pedestrian.

The essential rule is simple: if you cannot see the driver in the vehicle's mirrors, assume that the driver may not be able to see you either. Even if you can see the driver, do not assume that they have noticed you or understood your intentions.

Advice for cyclists: Stay visible and out of danger

Cyclists are entitled to use the road, but sharing space with an HGV requires particular awareness and anticipation. A few simple decisions can significantly reduce the risk of a serious collision.

Never undertake an HGV that is turning left. If you approach a junction and an HGV is positioned ahead of you, do not attempt to pass it on the left. The driver may be preparing to turn, and you could be in a blind spot just as the vehicle begins to move. Stop behind the vehicle and allow it to complete the manoeuvre safely.

Avoid waiting alongside an HGV at traffic lights. If traffic is stopped, position yourself behind the HGV or, where appropriate, in the designated cycle box ahead of the traffic stop line. Never move into a position alongside the vehicle where you may be hidden from the driver's view.

Do not assume that a stationary vehicle will remain stationary. An HGV may move off suddenly when traffic begins to flow, when a light changes or when a driver attempts to manoeuvre. Keep a safe distance and remain alert to the vehicle's movements.

Give yourself enough space when overtaking. Avoid overtaking an HGV on its left. If overtaking on the right is lawful and safe, do so only when you have a clear view ahead, sufficient space and enough time to complete the manoeuvre without entering oncoming traffic or forcing other road users to react. Never squeeze through a narrow gap or race to get past a turning vehicle.

Make yourself visible. Wear high-visibility clothing, particularly in poor weather, at dawn, at dusk and at night. Use working front and rear lights during lighting-up hours and whenever visibility is reduced. Keep your bicycle in good working order, signal clearly and obey traffic signals and road markings.

Above all, anticipate what the HGV might do next. Watch its indicators, road position and speed, but remember that an indicator is a warning of intention, not a guarantee of the vehicle's exact path. If in doubt, slow down, hold back and allow the vehicle to move away before proceeding.

Advice for pedestrians: Cross safely and stay alert

Pedestrians are particularly vulnerable around large vehicles because they may be hidden by the cab, bodywork or mirrors. Children, older people and anyone with reduced mobility may need additional time to cross safely.

Always use a designated crossing where one is available and appropriate, such as a signal-controlled crossing or zebra crossing. Follow the crossing signals and check that approaching traffic has stopped before stepping onto the road.

Never cross immediately in front of an HGV, even if it appears to be stationary. The driver may be preparing to move off and may not see you. Similarly, avoid walking immediately behind a truck, particularly when it is reversing or manoeuvring.

If you are standing near an HGV at a junction, do not assume that the driver can see you simply because you are close to the cab. Wait at a safe distance from the vehicle's turning path and do not attempt to pass between the vehicle and the kerb when it is preparing to turn.

Remove distractions when crossing busy roads. Looking at a mobile phone or wearing headphones at a volume that prevents you from hearing surrounding traffic can reduce your awareness of danger. Stop, look and listen, and give yourself enough time to cross without rushing.

Parents and guardians should explain these risks to children, particularly around school entrances, bus stops, delivery areas and busy urban streets. Children may not fully appreciate how large a vehicle's blind spots are or how quickly a turning vehicle can move into their path.

Conclusion: Everyone has a part to play

Pedestrians and cyclists make an important contribution to healthier, more sustainable communities. They should be able to travel safely, but they are also among the road users most exposed to serious injury when a collision occurs with a large vehicle.

The advice from An Garda Síochána is to understand blind spots, stay visible, anticipate turning movements, maintain a safe position and never assume that an HGV driver has seen you.

For drivers, the message is equally important: check mirrors and blind spots, take extra care at junctions, and remember that a moment's inattention can have life-changing consequences.

See the danger. Stay out of the blind spot. Give each other space. Arrive safely.

Road safety is a shared responsibility, and small decisions made by every road user can help prevent serious collisions and save lives.