Belt And Braces

Seatbelt use among HGV drivers is lower than in cars, even though strengthened cabs protect occupants only if they are properly belted

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Half of all truck driver fatalities could have been avoided if a seatbelt had been used, according to research from Volvo. The shocking figure has led to calls from the manufacturer for authorities to prioritise seatbelt use among HGV drivers and address the reasons why they’re being ignored.

Volvo’s annual Trucks Safety Report found that out of the 26,000 road fatalities in the EU each year, 15% are HGV-related. It says that although the number of serious road accidents involving trucks is dropping, the safety of vulnerable road users needs to be improved – and there are still far too few truck drivers using their seatbelts.

Peter Wells, a leader of the accident research team at Volvo Group Trucks Technology, says its investigations found that 50% of HGV driver fatalities wouldn’t have occurred if they had worn a seatbelt.

Using a seatbelt also protects other road users; Volvo says a belted driver can keep greater control of a vehicle if an accident were to occur.

“The only way the strength of the cab can protect truck occupants in a collision is if the occupant is belted,” Wells says. “Unfortunately, truck drivers tend to have lower usage of seatbelts than car drivers.”