National Highways

An introduction to Highways England’s Commercial Vehicle Incident Prevention Programme including initiatives aimed at tackling the main causes of incidents involving commercial vehicles.

When there is a diesel spillage on the SRN it has a financial, social, environmental and economic impact. The repercussions affect those directly involved, other drivers and the UK economy.

Bridge strikes can cause injury, delays and damage. Share this safety card with your drivers.

This leaflet focuses on tailgating, encouraging your drivers to keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front, giving themselves time to react and stop if they need to.

TV hosts Suzi Perry and Ortis Deley have teamed up with National Highways to urge drivers to get a better understanding of smart motorways. The TV presenters are working with National Highways to produce helpful and practical videos and clips featuring advice and information about motorway driving and using the roads.

Your monthly Driving for Better Business Fleet Safety Focus Update in collaboration with the National Highways Commercial Vehicle Incident Prevention Team.

Distraction is a leading a cause of collision. Whether manual, visual or cognitive, a distracted driver is not in full control of their vehicle, nor able to process and adapt to the changing environment around them. Fleets should educate drivers about the huge risks associated with distraction, and ensure that drivers have safe ways of alleviating boredom while they drive. Fleets policies should emphasise the ‘no mobiles while mobile’ rule, and ensure that sat navs and workflows are programmed before the journey starts and mobiles are turned off. Simply put: the human brain doesn’t multi-task. If you are doing something else, you aren’t driving.

Driver fatigue may be a contributory factor in up to 20% of road incidents, and up to one quarter of fatal and serious incidents. It’s a huge risk for fleets, drivers and for the general public – and commercial vehicle drivers are vulnerable to fatigue due to demanding workloads and high mileage. Our fleet safety updates help those who manage and run fleets understand what steps they should take to manage driver fatigue

Anyone driving for work, and the company which employs them, has a responsibility to ensure that their vehicle moves safely around other road users, and in particular vulnerable road users. Recent changes to the Highway Code created a hierarchy of road users which means those who can do most harm – usually the largest vehicles – have the greatest responsibility for road safety. Conversely, those who are most vulnerable need to be treated with the greatest caution. Pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists and horse riders make up more than half of those killed on our roads with 39% of pedestrian fatalities involving an at-work driver. Drivers must act with caution, ensure appropriate speeds and passing distances, and prioritise the safety of those around them.

Insecure loads are illegal, and highly dangerous. 62,000 items fell off vehicles onto the strategic road network in 2022. This is a key cause of injury, serious collisions and network delays. Drivers must be trained in how to secure their loads, and in the correct use of appropriate restraint equipment because it is their responsibility to ensure the load is safe. DVSA issues 2,000 prohibitions a year to vehicles for insecure loads, and both drivers and fleet operators can face significant penalties if a vehicle load is unsafe.

Vehicle Roadworthiness – does everyone understand their responsibilities? The legislation on vehicle roadworthiness is very clear – your vehicle must be safe and roadworthy at all times. It’s also important to know that the law applies to both the driver and the operator – they are what as known as jointly and severally liable. In other words, the employee (the driver) and the employer (the operator) have joint responsibility for vehicle roadworthiness.  

Weather Conditions – does everyone understand their responsibilities? Driving is, for most people, the most dangerous activity they do. Changes in weather conditions could easily make driving more dangerous, whether these are seasonal changes or weather events. Be sure your drivers are aware of the additional risk that comes with heavy rains, strong winds, fog, high temperatures, low sun, ice and snow – and that they adapt their driving style accordingly.