UK drivers have been warned to remain vigilant when driving in the vicinity of left-hand drive foreign lorries.

New figures from the Freight Transport Associations (FTA) reveal that there has been a dramatic rise in the number of left-drive vehicles on the UK's roads - with as many as one in seven of the largest vehicles on the roads likely to be a left-hand drive model.

This is equivalent to 14,000 vehicles per day, the FTA states. Personal injury lawyers Brian Camp & Co says that a particular problem is "created by the blind spot behind left hand drive lorries which means that they cannot see vehicles overtaking from the right, as happens on UK roads".

"Often, the left hand drive lorry will change lanes unaware of the overtaking vehicle, resulting in a side-on collision know as sideswiping," the firm adds.

Roundabouts and junctions are also possible accident hotspots, says FTA director of external affairs Geoff Dosseter.

"Car drivers should always take care to allow plenty of space when in the vicinity of heavy goods vehicles, and to be alert to their special needs, particularly at junctions and roundabouts," he advises.

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