Tag Archives: HGV-insurance-providers

Foreign Juggernauts Causing More Accidents On British Roads

New figures compiled by traffic specialists Accident Exchange show that the number of accidents caused on British roads by foreign juggernauts has increased in the twelve months to the end of February 2009 by 10%. The total number of accidents involving foreign lorries in the UK is about 9,000, but the proportions vary significantly around the country.

Nearly 50% of the total number of accidents occurring on the M25 are caused by foreign left-hand drive trucks, which is 25% of all the accidents in Britain where overseas registered trucks are at fault.

According to the last statistics released by the Department of Transport the worst offenders are Polish drivers, closely followed by those from the Czech Republic, Lithuania and Hungary.

Many of the accidents are caused by what is known as ‘sideswiping’ which happens when a juggernaut pulls out to overtake, and due to a blindspot is unaware of an overtaking vehicle.

A spokesman for Staveley Head, one of the country’s leading HGV insurance providers, said “The Government has been aware of this problem with foreign lorries for quite some time, and to some extent has taken steps to resolve it by providing magnifying door mirrors, also called Fresnal lenses, to some 200,000 foreign lorry drivers entering the country in the last year. It is disappointing that their efforts have not only failed to reduce the number of accidents but have also failed to prevent a substantial increase.”

The Staveley Head spokesman went on to say “10% of sideswipes result in the smaller vehicle being an insurance total loss, or write-off. I believe the average claim cost being quoted is in the order of £1,872, but the human tragedy cannot be measured. Many injured parties get nothing at all as the foreign drivers claim not to speak English, give false details, drive away from the accident without stopping or cannot be located by insurance investigators in their home country. Some simply don’t have any insurance cover at all.”

If you want further information about this subject, or want to know more about insurance for trucks, Staveley Head will be pleased to assist.

Staveley Head is one of the UK’s leading lorry insurance providers and will give you all the advice and assistance you need, including a very competitive truck insurance quote, if you log onto their website at www.staveleyhead.co.uk

For more information on any aspect of transport insurance contact Staveley Head on 0845 017 9991 or email quotes@staveleyhead.co.uk.

Via EPR Network
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“Land Pirates” Threat To Truck Drivers

Europol, the EU’s police Agency, has reported that truck drivers on European roads are facing the same threat of hijack as shipping off the Somalian coast. Organised crime gangs, nick-named ‘land pirates’ by truckers, are behind the robberies and they view truck drivers as an easy target.

A spokesman for Staveley Head, one of the UK’s leading HGV insurance providers, said “Many of the policyholders who have their truck insurance with us have Green Cards, or European travel extensions, to their policies and we feel they should be made aware of these recent statistics from Europol for their own safety. Hijacking on European roads is definitely on the increase and although Europol will do their part to counter these crimes, it is up to every truck driver to be as vigilant as possible.”

It is the Eastern European countries, such as Poland, Hungary and Rumania, which pose the greatest risk. Cargoes being targeted are those which are valuable and easy to dispose of or sell on. Alcohol, tobacco, computers, designer clothing and prescription drugs are high on the list but nickel and copper appear to be the most attractive target for the thieves.

The International Road Transport Union recently released a survey indicating that one in six truck drivers has been attacked in the last five years, and of those victims one in five had been targeted more than once. Nearly half of the crimes took place in truck parking areas.

Europol director Rob Wainwright said “Road-related cargo crime threatens the principle of free movement of goods across Europe.” He went on to advise national police forces “Close co-operation and joint efforts are necessary, otherwise we will not be able to match criminals who are both innovative and cruel in their actions and behaviour.”

If you want further information about this subject, or any aspect of lorry insurance or simply want a truck insurance quote Staveley Head will be pleased to assist.

Staveley Head is one of the UK’s leading transport insurance brokers and will give you all the advice and assistance you need, including a very competitive truck insurance quote, if you log onto their website at www.staveleyhead.co.uk

Via EPR Network
More Financial press releases