A recently published study of accidents involving heavy goods vehicles has indicated that many HGV occupant fatalities occur in single vehicle accidents, such as running into trees, ditches and overturning.

A major contribution to the reduction in accidents can thus be made by studying the vehicle/driver interface and vehicle aspects of primary safety.

The commercial vehicle cab is a place of work and should thus be considered from a safety standpoint in the same way as any other factory, office or workplace. This paper describes the use of human factors studies of the man in relation to his workplace.

Consideration is given to the sequence and tasks of a typical driving activity and the studies undertaken in support of each stage of the task are described.

The aspects covered include:​

• Entry, exit and general access
• Seating and driving position
• Major control positions and characteristics
• Vision—view out, mirror field of view
• Driver/vehicle—vehicle/driver communication
• Instrumentation
• Dynamic aspects—ride/handling
• Environmental considerations
• Occupant protection

The contribution of these studies to primary safety and accident avoidance are illustrated in their application to the "UK Safety Articulated Vehicle."