Blind Man Puts Lorry Driving Skills to Test – At 120 Mph

We have trained a lot of very good men and women with great lorry driving skills. Never have we put our training to the test with a blind driver. So imagine how thrilled we were when we learned that a 53-year-old with his name already in the Guinness Book of Records set yet another record by driving a lorry at 120 mph.

The York Press reported earlier this week on the fantastic feat accomplished by Mike Newman, a man who has been blind from birth as a result of glaucoma. Having his eyes surgically removed at a young age has not stopped Newman from living life to the fullest. In fact, prior to the record-setting event on October 26 (2015), Newman had already set previous records with planes, motorbikes, cars, and boats.

Newman spent the morning becoming familiar with his modified racing lorry provided by truck racer Dave Jenkins. He made several practice runs with the assistance of others in the cabin, before beginning solo practice runs in the afternoon. His final record-setting run came in at 120.04 mph. The record was set at Elvington airfield in North Yorkshire.

When asked why he does what he does, Newman explained that he wants to give those with disabilities an opportunity to enjoy both driving and the thrill of speed. His record-setting efforts are just a small part of what he does. Newman also runs the Speed of Sight foundation intended to give others with similar disabilities the same kinds of experiences.

It’s All in the Training

It is quite evident that Newman has some incredible lorry driving skills. If asked, we are reasonably sure he would say that driving a lorry while blind is an incredibly complex exercise that requires intense concentration and a lot of training. Even modified racing lorries can quickly careen out of control at the hands of experienced and fully-sighted driver, let alone at the hands of someone without sight.

Mike Newman’s story is an inspiration to us as an HGV training company. Why? Because we know how important training is for developing and maintaining lorry driving skills. The most thoroughly trained drivers go on to be the safest and most productive in the industry. This is why we devote so much time and energy to making sure our training programmes are the best they can be.

Newman will never be a professional lorry driver making deliveries in the London suburbs. But he can be an inspiration to new drivers all across the UK. If you’ve been thinking about undergoing lorry driving training, but you have been afraid you might not be able to handle it, take inspiration from Mike Newman. You can learn to do it if you put your mind to it and you are willing to work hard.

The HGV Training Centre provides professional training for lorry driving at dozens of facilities around the UK. We are ready to train you for a long and successful career.

Sources:

York Press – https://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/13897303.Blind_man_sets_new_world_record_for_driving_an_HGV_at_120mph/