McCarron Coates, a fleet transport and insurance broker, introduces a board game to educate hauliers on the Highway Code’s Hierarchy of Road Users.
- The game is designed to highlight the responsibility of HGV drivers in road safety and the implications of new regulations.
- The 2022 changes establish a hierarchy where HGV drivers face significant legal consequences for collisions.
- Players navigate scenarios to learn about careless or inconsiderate driving penalties under the new rules.
- McCarron Coates aims to raise awareness and preparedness among fleet operators and drivers.
McCarron Coates has launched a board game aimed at educating truck and van fleet operators about the recently updated Highway Code’s Hierarchy of Road Users. This game addresses the critical role of Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) drivers who are allocated the highest level of responsibility for avoiding road accidents and collisions. The regulations underline the necessity for drivers to be cognisant of their conduct on the road.
The 2022 amendments to the Highway Code introduced the offence of Causing Serious Injury by Careless or Inconsiderate Driving. These changes have sparked debate, particularly criticisms from the Road Haulage Association (RHA), which claims that the rules inadvertently encourage unsafe practices among cyclists, who may escape accountability. The board game serves as a strategic tool, promoting understanding of the legal framework while engaging players in activities that simulate real-life driving challenges.
Gameplay involves moving around a board where players encounter various scenarios that assess their understanding of proper fleet management and driving behaviour. Good practices earn rewards, while poor decisions result in penalties that mimic real-world consequences. A key feature of the game is its portrayal of the legal repercussions, such as driving bans and potential imprisonment, associated with breaches of the regulations. The game elucidates how seemingly minor infractions, like a broken bone, can be classified as serious injuries, leading to severe penalties.
The scenarios within the game are constructed to expose the ease with which drivers can inadvertently violate laws, especially given the vague definitions of ‘serious’ injuries. The severity of legal punishment often correlates with the vulnerability of the road user involved, such as pedestrians or cyclists, thereby reinforcing how sentencing is influenced by the road user hierarchy.
McCarron Coates is distributing the game primarily to its clients, but it is also available to the public for download. The game not only serves as an educational tool but is also recommended for use in tool box talks or as a casual lunchtime activity. Paul Coates, a company director, emphasises the urgency for fleet operators to reassess their understanding and compliance with the new rules, stressing the complacency that can endanger both livelihoods and legal standings.
As Ian McCarron, another director, highlights, the game is part of a broader approach in managing risks. McCarron Coates also offers an RTC Crisis Line, providing immediate legal assistance during police investigations, underscoring the imperative for ready access to legal expertise in incidents involving police scrutiny.
The Road Hierarchy board game by McCarron Coates is a novel approach in educating and preparing fleet operators and drivers for the complexities of modern road regulations.
