Crashes involving heavy goods vehicles account for approximately one in seven road fatalities across the European Union, according to figures highlighted by the European Road Safety Charter, underlining the continuing importance of truck safety, driver welfare and vehicle maintenance.

Despite accounting for just 4–5 per cent of police-reported road crashes, collisions involving trucks frequently have devastating consequences because of the size and weight of the vehicles involved.

In 2023, crashes involving HGVs resulted in 2,821 fatalities across the EU, representing approximately 14 per cent of all road deaths.

The findings highlight the challenges facing Europe’s road haulage industry, which employs approximately 3.2 million truck drivers and plays an essential role in keeping goods moving across the continent.

For Irish hauliers operating both domestically and internationally, the figures reinforce the importance of vehicle roadworthiness, preventative maintenance, driver training and the growing range of safety technologies being introduced under EU legislation.

Other road users account for most fatalities

One of the most significant findings is that the majority of people killed in crashes involving trucks are not the HGV drivers themselves.

Car occupants account for approximately 49 per cent of fatalities, while pedestrians, cyclists and other vulnerable road users also face considerable risks.

Rural roads account for the largest proportion of fatal truck-related crashes, at 55 per cent, followed by motorways at 23 per cent and urban roads at 22 per cent.

Germany, France and Poland recorded the highest numbers of fatalities involving HGVs in 2023, while Luxembourg and Slovenia recorded the lowest totals.

There have, however, been encouraging improvements in some countries.

Between 2019 and 2023, Poland and Finland each reduced truck-related fatalities by more than 40 per cent. Conversely, Latvia and Austria recorded increases of 28 per cent over the same period.

The contrasting figures demonstrate that progress in reducing fatal truck crashes has been uneven across Europe.

Blind spots, braking distances and vehicle stability

The European Road Safety Charter identifies several recurring factors in serious truck crashes, including rear-end collisions, lane departures, side-impact crashes at junctions and incidents involving pedestrians and cyclists in vehicle blind spots.

Significantly, many of these collisions occur during normal working hours, in daylight and under favourable weather conditions.

The findings challenge the perception that serious truck crashes are primarily associated with poor weather or difficult driving conditions.

The physical characteristics of HGVs present particular challenges.

Their greater mass and weight mean longer stopping distances, while restricted manoeuvrability can make it difficult to respond to sudden hazards.

Blind spots remain a particular concern, especially in towns and cities where trucks regularly interact with cyclists and pedestrians.

Although mirrors, cameras and detection systems have improved visibility, they cannot eliminate every risk.

Proper adjustment, maintenance and effective use of these systems remain essential.

Other motorists also have a responsibility to understand the limitations of large commercial vehicles, particularly when overtaking, changing lanes or travelling immediately ahead of a truck.

Driver fatigue and working conditions remain major concerns

The Charter also highlights the relationship between professional drivers’ working conditions and road safety.

Long working hours, demanding delivery schedules, irregular sleeping patterns and extended periods away from home can all contribute to fatigue and reduced concentration.

International drivers, including Irish operators travelling across continental Europe, may spend considerable periods living and sleeping in their vehicles.

Fatigue, stress and poor sleep can affect reaction times, decision-making and the ability to respond to unexpected situations.

Health conditions such as sleep apnoea and cardiovascular disease can also have implications for professional driving.

The findings reinforce the importance of compliance with EU driving and rest-time regulations, but also suggest that legal compliance alone is not sufficient to address every fatigue-related risk.

Operators must consider realistic journey planning, suitable rest facilities and the wider welfare of their drivers.

New EU safety requirements will change truck design

The European Union is progressively introducing more advanced vehicle safety requirements through its General Safety Regulation.

Since July 2024, newly registered heavy vehicles have been required to comply with a range of additional safety provisions, including intelligent speed assistance, advanced blind-spot information systems and driver drowsiness and attention warnings, subject to the applicable vehicle-category requirements.

Further improvements are scheduled over the coming years.

Enhanced automatic emergency braking requirements are due to be introduced for new heavy vehicles from 2028, while additional direct-vision requirements are expected to apply to new trucks from 2029.

These developments are particularly relevant to Irish fleet operators planning vehicle replacement programmes over the next three to five years.

Improved direct vision, pedestrian and cyclist detection, emergency braking and driver monitoring are increasingly becoming important considerations when specifying new trucks.

However, the effectiveness of these systems will depend on correct operation, maintenance and driver familiarity.

Workshops have an important role in truck safety

For Ireland’s commercial vehicle workshops, the report highlights the importance of preventative maintenance and the proper functioning of safety-critical systems.

Brake performance, steering, suspension, tyres and vehicle stability systems remain fundamental to safe HGV operation.

Poorly maintained braking systems can increase stopping distances, while worn suspension components, incorrect tyre pressures and uneven loading can compromise vehicle handling.

The growing use of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) also places additional responsibilities on workshops.

Radar sensors, cameras and other electronic safety equipment must be correctly maintained, diagnosed and, where necessary, calibrated following repairs or component replacement.

Even relatively minor damage or incorrect adjustment can potentially affect the performance of collision avoidance and blind-spot monitoring systems.

For fleet maintenance managers, the message is clear: regular inspections, effective defect reporting and prompt repairs remain essential to keeping vehicles safe and roadworthy.

Euro NCAP raises the bar for truck safety

Vehicle design is another major focus of Europe’s road safety strategy.

With the average age of Europe’s truck fleet estimated at approximately 14 years, many vehicles currently operating on European roads do not have the latest collision avoidance and driver assistance technologies.

Euro NCAP’s Safer Trucks programme is designed to encourage manufacturers to exceed minimum regulatory requirements.

The programme assesses heavy vehicles using a five-star rating system, examining areas including safe driving, collision avoidance and crash protection.

Particular attention is being paid to improved driver visibility, automatic emergency braking and protection for vulnerable road users.

Trailer underrun protection is another area attracting increased scrutiny.

Euro NCAP research has highlighted shortcomings in existing rear underrun protection systems and the limitations of older driver assistance technology.

The organisation has suggested that these issues could contribute to approximately 400 deaths annually across the EU and UK.

Rear underrun collisions can be particularly severe when passenger cars travel underneath the rear of a truck or trailer, potentially bypassing some of the car’s primary crash protection structures.

The findings strengthen the case for improved trailer safety standards alongside advances in truck technology.

Safer roads and better parking facilities needed

While vehicle technology is central to improving road safety, the Charter stresses that infrastructure must also play a role.

Separating heavy vehicles from pedestrians and cyclists wherever possible can reduce the potential for serious collisions.

Improved junction design, better road markings, hazard warnings and traffic management measures can also help reduce risks.

For international hauliers, the availability of safe and secure truck parking is particularly important.

A shortage of suitable parking facilities can make it difficult for drivers to plan journeys and take their mandatory rest periods in appropriate conditions.

Improving parking provision, including access to basic welfare facilities, could therefore make an important contribution to both driver wellbeing and road safety.

The Charter also supports greater emphasis on driver health education, including fatigue awareness, nutrition, physical fitness and stress management.

These subjects are already reflected in the EU’s professional driver training framework and remain relevant to Driver CPC programmes.

What the findings mean for Irish hauliers

For Irish transport operators, the European Road Safety Charter’s findings provide a timely reminder that truck safety extends well beyond compliance with annual roadworthiness testing.

The report points to several areas where operators can make practical improvements:

• Preventative maintenance: Ensure brakes, tyres, steering, suspension and safety-critical systems are inspected and maintained.
• Driver fatigue: Review journey schedules, rest arrangements and working conditions to minimise fatigue-related risks.
• Safety technology: Ensure drivers understand the capabilities and limitations of blind-spot monitoring, emergency braking and other assistance systems.
• Vehicle loading: Maintain proper load distribution and securing procedures to protect vehicle stability.
• Driver training: Reinforce hazard awareness, vulnerable road-user protection and defensive driving techniques.
• Fleet replacement: Consider Euro NCAP safety ratings and advanced safety equipment when purchasing new trucks.

Road safety remains a shared responsibility

Europe’s road haulage industry is indispensable to the economy, with trucks carrying approximately three-quarters of the EU’s inland freight by volume of transport work.

However, the latest findings demonstrate that reducing the consequences of HGV collisions remains a significant road safety challenge.

Advances in vehicle design, electronic safety systems and EU regulation are helping to address some of the risks, but technology alone will not eliminate serious crashes.

Driver welfare, effective vehicle maintenance, safer infrastructure and greater awareness among all road users will remain equally important.

For Irish hauliers, the central message is that investment in safety is not simply a regulatory obligation. It is an essential part of protecting professional drivers, other road users and the long-term sustainability of the haulage indus

Truck crashes account for one in seven road deaths across Europe

Crashes involving heavy goods vehicles account for approximately one in seven road fatalities across the European Union, according to figures highlighted by the European Road Safety Charter, underlining the continuing importance of truck safety, driver welfare and vehicle maintenance.

Despite accounting for just 4–5 per cent of police-reported road crashes, collisions involving trucks frequently have devastating consequences because of the size and weight of the vehicles involved.

In 2023, crashes involving HGVs resulted in 2,821 fatalities across the EU, representing approximately 14 per cent of all road deaths.

The findings highlight the challenges facing Europe’s road haulage industry, which employs approximately 3.2 million truck drivers and plays an essential role in keeping goods moving across the continent.

For Irish hauliers operating both domestically and internationally, the figures reinforce the importance of vehicle roadworthiness, preventative maintenance, driver training and the growing range of safety technologies being introduced under EU legislation.

Other road users account for most fatalities

One of the most significant findings is that the majority of people killed in crashes involving trucks are not the HGV drivers themselves.

Car occupants account for approximately 49 per cent of fatalities, while pedestrians, cyclists and other vulnerable road users also face considerable risks.

Rural roads account for the largest proportion of fatal truck-related crashes, at 55 per cent, followed by motorways at 23 per cent and urban roads at 22 per cent.

Germany, France and Poland recorded the highest numbers of fatalities involving HGVs in 2023, while Luxembourg and Slovenia recorded the lowest totals.

There have, however, been encouraging improvements in some countries.

Between 2019 and 2023, Poland and Finland each reduced truck-related fatalities by more than 40 per cent. Conversely, Latvia and Austria recorded increases of 28 per cent over the same period.

The contrasting figures demonstrate that progress in reducing fatal truck crashes has been uneven across Europe.

Blind spots, braking distances and vehicle stability

The European Road Safety Charter identifies several recurring factors in serious truck crashes, including rear-end collisions, lane departures, side-impact crashes at junctions and incidents involving pedestrians and cyclists in vehicle blind spots.

Significantly, many of these collisions occur during normal working hours, in daylight and under favourable weather conditions.

The findings challenge the perception that serious truck crashes are primarily associated with poor weather or difficult driving conditions.

The physical characteristics of HGVs present particular challenges.

Their greater mass and weight mean longer stopping distances, while restricted manoeuvrability can make it difficult to respond to sudden hazards.

Blind spots remain a particular concern, especially in towns and cities where trucks regularly interact with cyclists and pedestrians.

Although mirrors, cameras and detection systems have improved visibility, they cannot eliminate every risk.

Proper adjustment, maintenance and effective use of these systems remain essential.

Other motorists also have a responsibility to understand the limitations of large commercial vehicles, particularly when overtaking, changing lanes or travelling immediately ahead of a truck.

Driver fatigue and working conditions remain major concerns

The Charter also highlights the relationship between professional drivers’ working conditions and road safety.

Long working hours, demanding delivery schedules, irregular sleeping patterns and extended periods away from home can all contribute to fatigue and reduced concentration.

International drivers, including Irish operators travelling across continental Europe, may spend considerable periods living and sleeping in their vehicles.

Fatigue, stress and poor sleep can affect reaction times, decision-making and the ability to respond to unexpected situations.

Health conditions such as sleep apnoea and cardiovascular disease can also have implications for professional driving.

The findings reinforce the importance of compliance with EU driving and rest-time regulations, but also suggest that legal compliance alone is not sufficient to address every fatigue-related risk.

Operators must consider realistic journey planning, suitable rest facilities and the wider welfare of their drivers.

New EU safety requirements will change truck design

The European Union is progressively introducing more advanced vehicle safety requirements through its General Safety Regulation.

Since July 2024, newly registered heavy vehicles have been required to comply with a range of additional safety provisions, including intelligent speed assistance, advanced blind-spot information systems and driver drowsiness and attention warnings, subject to the applicable vehicle-category requirements.

Further improvements are scheduled over the coming years.

Enhanced automatic emergency braking requirements are due to be introduced for new heavy vehicles from 2028, while additional direct-vision requirements are expected to apply to new trucks from 2029.

These developments are particularly relevant to Irish fleet operators planning vehicle replacement programmes over the next three to five years.

Improved direct vision, pedestrian and cyclist detection, emergency braking and driver monitoring are increasingly becoming important considerations when specifying new trucks.

However, the effectiveness of these systems will depend on correct operation, maintenance and driver familiarity.

Workshops have an important role in truck safety

For Ireland’s commercial vehicle workshops, the report highlights the importance of preventative maintenance and the proper functioning of safety-critical systems.

Brake performance, steering, suspension, tyres and vehicle stability systems remain fundamental to safe HGV operation.

Poorly maintained braking systems can increase stopping distances, while worn suspension components, incorrect tyre pressures and uneven loading can compromise vehicle handling.

The growing use of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) also places additional responsibilities on workshops.

Radar sensors, cameras and other electronic safety equipment must be correctly maintained, diagnosed and, where necessary, calibrated following repairs or component replacement.

Even relatively minor damage or incorrect adjustment can potentially affect the performance of collision avoidance and blind-spot monitoring systems.

For fleet maintenance managers, the message is clear: regular inspections, effective defect reporting and prompt repairs remain essential to keeping vehicles safe and roadworthy.

Euro NCAP raises the bar for truck safety

Vehicle design is another major focus of Europe’s road safety strategy.

With the average age of Europe’s truck fleet estimated at approximately 14 years, many vehicles currently operating on European roads do not have the latest collision avoidance and driver assistance technologies.

Euro NCAP’s Safer Trucks programme is designed to encourage manufacturers to exceed minimum regulatory requirements.

The programme assesses heavy vehicles using a five-star rating system, examining areas including safe driving, collision avoidance and crash protection.

Particular attention is being paid to improved driver visibility, automatic emergency braking and protection for vulnerable road users.

Trailer underrun protection is another area attracting increased scrutiny.

Euro NCAP research has highlighted shortcomings in existing rear underrun protection systems and the limitations of older driver assistance technology.

The organisation has suggested that these issues could contribute to approximately 400 deaths annually across the EU and UK.

Rear underrun collisions can be particularly severe when passenger cars travel underneath the rear of a truck or trailer, potentially bypassing some of the car’s primary crash protection structures.

The findings strengthen the case for improved trailer safety standards alongside advances in truck technology.

Safer roads and better parking facilities needed

While vehicle technology is central to improving road safety, the Charter stresses that infrastructure must also play a role.

Separating heavy vehicles from pedestrians and cyclists wherever possible can reduce the potential for serious collisions.

Improved junction design, better road markings, hazard warnings and traffic management measures can also help reduce risks.

For international hauliers, the availability of safe and secure truck parking is particularly important.

A shortage of suitable parking facilities can make it difficult for drivers to plan journeys and take their mandatory rest periods in appropriate conditions.

Improving parking provision, including access to basic welfare facilities, could therefore make an important contribution to both driver wellbeing and road safety.

The Charter also supports greater emphasis on driver health education, including fatigue awareness, nutrition, physical fitness and stress management.

These subjects are already reflected in the EU’s professional driver training framework and remain relevant to Driver CPC programmes.

What the findings mean for Irish hauliers

For Irish transport operators, the European Road Safety Charter’s findings provide a timely reminder that truck safety extends well beyond compliance with annual roadworthiness testing.

The report points to several areas where operators can make practical improvements:

• Preventative maintenance: Ensure brakes, tyres, steering, suspension and safety-critical systems are inspected and maintained.
• Driver fatigue: Review journey schedules, rest arrangements and working conditions to minimise fatigue-related risks.
• Safety technology: Ensure drivers understand the capabilities and limitations of blind-spot monitoring, emergency braking and other assistance systems.
• Vehicle loading: Maintain proper load distribution and securing procedures to protect vehicle stability.
• Driver training: Reinforce hazard awareness, vulnerable road-user protection and defensive driving techniques.
• Fleet replacement: Consider Euro NCAP safety ratings and advanced safety equipment when purchasing new trucks.

Road safety remains a shared responsibility

Europe’s road haulage industry is indispensable to the economy, with trucks carrying approximately three-quarters of the EU’s inland freight by volume of transport work.

However, the latest findings demonstrate that reducing the consequences of HGV collisions remains a significant road safety challenge.

Advances in vehicle design, electronic safety systems and EU regulation are helping to address some of the risks, but technology alone will not eliminate serious crashes.

Driver welfare, effective vehicle maintenance, safer infrastructure and greater awareness among all road users will remain equally important.

For Irish hauliers, the central message is that investment in safety is not simply a regulatory obligation. It is an essential part of protecting professional drivers, other road users and the long-term sustainability of the haulage industry.