INDUSTRY AWARENESS of the risks of dangerous goods handling and transport is all good and well, but a public awareness campaign would add a new safety dimension in the view of HB Services’ Hazel Briggs. “Often, and especially during the holiday periods, we see vehicles showing impatience with slow moving trucks that are carrying extremely hazardous materials. Of great concern is that this can lead to dangerous overtaking, which can cost lives and cause severe injuries,” she told FTW. “People drive around blissfully unaware of the dangers to themselves and the environment should an incident or accident occur. If they knew the dangers they would allow the slow moving trucks more space and show a lot more patience before overtaking.” Briggs believes a Department of Transport campaign to promote public awareness of the dangers of hazardous products and also to explain the meaning of each hazard sign would go a long way to promoting a safer environment. “Every day extremely hazardous products, which are known to cause serious health problems if they are not handled correctly, are being transported on our busy roads and the public should be made aware of the dangers.”
