Research by the Flemish Foundation for Traffic Knowledge (Vlaamse Stichting Verkeerskunde, VSV) shows that half of the truck drivers place objects on their dashboards, including illuminated miniature Christmas trees in the end-of-the-year season. These items can obstruct visibility, increasing the risk of (blind spot) accidents.

VSV is, therefore, launching a campaign with the transport sector and Flemish Minister for Mobility Lydia Peeters (Open Vld) to encourage truckers to keep their dashboard clean.

Of the 279 truck drivers surveyed by VSV, 70% say that the mandatory inspection stickers, toll vignettes, or toll boxes can obstruct visibility. Three in ten truckers say they also have nameplates, number plates, or curtains in their cabs.

Homily feeling

For a minority of those surveyed, between 10 and 20%, a mobile phone holder, flags, scarves, soft toys, or other souvenirs can get or hang in the way. Eight out of ten truckers say they do this personalized fitting, too, just to have a homely feeling in the cabin. They say that the fitting of their cab makes them enjoy driving.

Minister Peeters believes it is essential for drivers to consider visibility when fitting out their trucks. “With this campaign, we are encouraging truck drivers in a fun and positive way to keep their dashboard clear as much as possible,” the minister said. Violations of visibility from the cab can earn drivers a fine between 75 and 1.000 euros.

Maximum visibility

The campaign was also conducted in 2019 in Flanders. The call came back after the reconstruction of 29 blind spot accidents. It showed that 70- and 80-year-olds were the primary victims and that in those cases, the accident always ended fatally because the truck driver cannot always see you just in front of the truck.