TRUCKERS drove home a hard-hitting road safety message by steering a lorry into Oxford’s Radcliffe Square.

Cyclists were offered the chance to sit in the cab to help them see the road from a lorry driver’s point of view.

The aim was to show them how difficult it is for drivers to spot cyclists and pedestrians.

Transport manager Paul Needle, of haulage firm Smiths of Bletchingdon, brought the lorry cab for cyclists and road users to explore.

He said: “The reaction was brilliant, there was no negative feedback at all. Sometimes people can hold a dim view of lorries and would rather them not be on the road, but we didn’t experience any problems.

“It was a brilliant chance for cyclists to fully understand the visibility available to drivers, and the problems they face when people dart in front of them or pull out from nowhere.

“Anything that can help make the roads safer for cyclists and drivers has to be a good thing.”

Oxford University student Luke Maxted, 20, was shown around the cab by Mr Needle.

He said: “I cycle a lot in the city.

“It was scary to see just how little visibility there is, but also heartening to realise the drivers take so many precautions, including a large amount of mirrors and cameras. I would say it has changed my perspective.”

Katherine Drayson, who lives in Mile Park, Oxford, added: “I’m really pleased the lorry industry was sponsoring the event and taking some responsibility.

“It left me with a different idea about what a driver can see, and just how big a blindspot these vehicles have.

“As a female cyclist, I will certainly try and be more assertive now.”

Oxford cycle group Cyclox spokesman and Oxford Mail columnist James Styring said: “It is a really good initiative that will be helpful to cyclists.”

Elizabeth Clements, spokes-man for the Mineral Products Associatio – which organised the event, said: “We urge cyclists to be aware of the potential risks of undertaking large goods vehicles and getting too close to them at left-hand turns and roundabouts.”

In 2004, Lisa Harker lost her unborn baby in a collision with a lorry turning into Roger Dudman Way off Botley Road. She was 17 weeks pregnant.

In the same year, Emilie Harris, a student at St Catherine’s College, was killed cycling along Cowley Road near the Elm Tree pub when she fell under a bus.

The coroner recorded a verdict of accidental death, but said the driver – Paul Willis, then of Long Handborough, who was convicted of careless driving – had been distracted.

In April 2007, Oxford University student Tsz Fok, 22, died in a crash with a truck turning left from Broad Street into Parks Road. The driver, Trevor Ashworth, then 31 and of Theale, near Reading, was subsequently fined £500 and banned from driving for eight months after being found guilty of careless driving.