Transport minister Andrew Jones gained an insight into some of the challenges facing today’s truck drivers, courtesy of Mercedes-Benz.

The minister piloted three very different examples from the manufacturer’s Euro 6 range around a test track at the Horiba Mira proving ground in Warwickshire.

Jones described road freight as the “lifeblood running through the veins of the British economy” and said his twin priorities were to improve air quality and safety.

“Our roads are among the safest in the world,” he said, “but there’s always more that can be done to improve things still further.”

He then took the wheel of an 8x4 tipper designed to do just that. With its panoramic low-entry cab and a comprehensive armoury of cameras and proximity sensors, the Econic High Visibility Safety Truck has been developed by Mercedes-Benz specifically to reduce the possibility of construction vehicles working in busy, urban environments, being involved in accidents with pedestrians and cyclists.

As the minister engaged Drive and pulled away, Nick Blake, head of engineering at Mercedes-Benz Trucks, explained how the vehicle’s deep windscreen and fully-glazed, bus-style folding passenger door, provide all-round visibility to the front and sides.

He also outlined the work that Mercedes-Benz had been doing over many years to prevent “cognitive overload” of drivers.

“There’s no point in overwhelming them with more technology than they can cope with, because to do so would be self-defeating,” said Blake.

“So we ensure, for example, that our proximity bleepers are not constantly set off by street furniture. Likewise, when the vehicle is turning left, the camera image on the screen will only show the view down the left-hand side of the truck. It’s all about providing the driver with the information he needs – and no more.”

Speaking afterwards, Jones acknowledged that the event could not provide a true reflection of the challenges facing drivers. “It was, nevertheless, an interesting and immensely valuable exercise,” he said.

“Of course, I had no other traffic or road-users to contend with, but as someone who has never driven a heavy goods vehicle before I was struck by how easy all are to drive.”

He added: “It is clear that the industry is trying hard on cycling safety. We need technology like the High Visibility Safety Truck and more education of both HGV drivers and cyclists of the dangers of HGVs in cities.”

Blake concluded: “Given his role it’s essential that he has some appreciation of what it’s like to drive a heavy a truck, and what those who do the job are up against. So we were delighted to be able to give him a feel for it, albeit in very controlled surroundings.”