Girteka is continuing its focus on road safety by launching the “Be Safe on the Road” campaign to raise public awareness of safe behaviour around trucks. At Girteka, road safety is part of how the company operates every day. The company invests in driver training, continuously renews its fleet with the latest trucks equipped with advanced safety systems, and contributes to public education.
In 2026, the company is launching a year-long educational campaign “Be Safe on the Road. Trust the rules, not your gut.” The campaign encourages road users to replace impulsive decisions such as “I’ll make it”, “I can fit”, or “I’ll quickly squeeze in” with clear, easy-to-remember rules about distance, visibility, turning, overtaking and braking near heavy vehicles.
“Road safety starts with knowledge and a clear understanding of the rules. As one of Europe’s largest transport companies, Girteka feels a responsibility to lead by example and contribute to safer roads for all road users. That is why we aim not only to maintain the highest safety standards in our operations but also to promote broader awareness of safe behaviour on the road.”
Back in 2020, Girteka first launched the initiative “Be Safe on the Road”, aimed at increasing awareness of safe behaviour around heavy vehicles.
Survey reveals safety concerns and knowledge gaps
Public opinion data highlights the need for greater awareness. A representative survey conducted by Spinter Research in January 2026 shows that half of the respondents feel unsafe when driving near trucks.
Trucks are a constant part of the transport system – not only on highways but also in busy city traffic. Despite this, many road users still lack confidence when driving near them, experts note.
The survey shows that 39% of residents feel rather unsafe in traffic near trucks, while 11% feel completely unsafe.
Another important indicator relates to knowledge. When assessing their understanding of safe behaviour near trucks, only slightly more than one-third of respondents (37%) rated their knowledge as good or very good. Meanwhile, 43% described it as average, and 14% admitted their knowledge of the topic is poor or very poor. Men and people with higher education tend to feel safer driving near trucks.
“Driving culture and respect for traffic rules remain a challenge on our roads. In everyday traffic we often see situations where road users rush, cut in or fail to keep a safe distance, and these behaviours become even more dangerous when trucks are involved. Trucks may be large, but they are predictable when traffic rules are followed and their movement is understood. The survey results clearly show that people need better knowledge about how to drive safely near trucks. Road safety must be guided by clear rules, not gut feeling.”
Clear rules help drivers stay safe
According to psychologist-psychotherapist Lina Bagdonavičienė, tension near large vehicles is closely linked to how people perceive risk and make decisions in stressful situations. Large objects, their noise or their proximity automatically strengthen danger signals in the brain, as people tend to focus more on situations where the potential consequences may be more serious.
Driving also requires quick decisions, which means that under stress people often rely on automatic, habit-based thinking rather than rational evaluation of the situation.
The psychologist also notes that certain situations can trigger not only competition between road users but also anger. This often happens when movement becomes restricted – for example, when drivers need to adapt to vehicles that manoeuvre more slowly.
“In such situations, the most important thing is not to suppress emotions but to practice self-regulation. Pause briefly before making a manoeuvre, consciously assess the situation and remind yourself that vehicles of different sizes move according to different physical capabilities. Knowledge and clear rules – not intuition – increase safety on the road."
The most universal rule – keep a safe distance
Transport experts note that trucks usually move predictably in traffic, according to their physical capabilities and traffic regulations. The biggest risks arise when other road users act impulsively and fail to take into account the specific movement characteristics of large vehicles.
“A truck is not simply a bigger car on the road. For example, the trailer’s trajectory when turning is wider than it may appear at first glance, which means it requires sufficient space at intersections to complete the manoeuvre safely. Trucks also accelerate from a standstill much more slowly than passenger cars, so rushed manoeuvres nearby can create additional risk. It is also important to understand that if a smaller vehicle suddenly cuts in front of a truck, the consequences may be serious because a truck’s braking distance is significantly longer – especially in difficult weather conditions or when carrying heavy cargo. In addition, when driving next to a truck or directly behind it, a vehicle may enter a blind spot where it becomes harder for the truck driver to notice other vehicles.”
Čepaitis highlights the most universal safety rule for both drivers and pedestrians in areas where trucks are present – maintaining a safe distance. This applies in cities, traffic jams, on highways and in all weather conditions.
The representative survey on safe behaviour near trucks was commissioned by Girteka and conducted by Spinter Research in January 2026. A total of 1,017 respondents aged 18–75 were surveyed across Lithuania.
