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CELEBRATING 25 YEARS OF PARMA. EVERY JOURNEY SAFER, EVERY JOURNEY SMARTER.
CELEBRATING 25 YEARS OF PARMA. EVERY JOURNEY SAFER, EVERY JOURNEY SMARTER.

What Happens When a HGV (or LGV) Wheel Falls Off?

And how to prevent it

The Implications of Losing a Wheel

A wheel detached from a truck, van, bus, coach or trailer can reach speeds of up to 93mph. The weight of a steel wheel and tyre can reach up to 110kg - that's about the same as 40 bricks hurtling towards you. But the collision force is about 10 tonnes. That's 27,500 bricks. It's quick, and it's deadly. 

It's estimated that between 150 and 400 wheel detachments occur in the UK annually. Of these, three to seven result in fatal accidents, with many more causing serious injuries. Not to be blunt, but by not securing your wheels you're simply waiting for an accident to happen.

 

Okay, so what if it's not the worst case scenario? A wheel detaches, but luckily it doesn't hit anybody. The driver has far less control over the vehicle and is most likely quite shocked, making them more likely to cause accidents. The wheel itself can block lanes, cause traffic disruptions and require police assistance. This can cause the driver and other road users delays, and the company fines and clean up costs.

After the incident, If negligence is proven (e.g., failing to perform pre-trip checks), the driver may face legal consequences, including fines or penalties. Depending on the severity, it could lead to criminal charges for dangerous driving or endangering life.

Again, if they're lucky enough to not harm anybody, the driver may still have to face potential disciplinary action, including suspension or termination, especially if driver negligence is involved.

The driver may not be completely at fault either - the impact of the reputation damage for the company is huge.
Employers have a legal duty to ensure the health and safety of employees and others affected by their work, including proper maintenance of vehicles. If a wheel detachment occurs due to defective parts, lack of maintenance, or improper checks it breaches, at minimum, The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986 and Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.


Under the Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007, a company can be guilty of corporate manslaughter if the way its senior management organises or oversees activities leads to someone’s death and constitutes a gross breach of its duty of care. Operators have a legal responsibility not only to ensure the safety of their drivers but also to protect other road users.

Once a major incident like this happens, the company is then at risk of reputational damage recorded on the company’s Operator Compliance Risk Score (OCRS). A low OCRS score means more regular inspections, and being more likely to be stopped for roadside checks, leading to delays, costs, and potential fines.

 

Doom and gloom, right? It doesn't have to be!

So what can we do to stop all that happening?

The causes of these incidents can vary, but they almost always come down to issues that are entirely preventable. A loose wheel nut is a problem that simply shouldn’t happen anymore, especially with the solutions and precautions available today. Our challenge is to make as many people aware of the tools and practices they can use to tackle this issue, and work together to make every journey safer. 
 

At Parma Group, we’re on a mission to put an end to wheel loss for good.

 

Wheel Nut Indicators
At Parma Group, we provide a wide range of brightly coloured wheel indicators, available in sizes ranging from 17 to 42 mm. These indicators are widely used by fleets as a first line of defense, helping drivers spot potential issues during their pre- and post-journey checks. While this is a good practice and is the minimum standard, it does rely heavily on human attention, which leaves room for error. Plus, if a wheel nut loosens while on the road, indicators alone can't do anything to stop detachment.

Explore Indicators

Wheel Nut Locks
For greater security, Parma Group provides wheel nut locks—devices designed to fit over two adjacent wheel nuts, forming a physical lock to prevent nut movement and wheel detachment.

Key wheel nut lock products include;

  • Prolock: The ultimate choice for reliability and protection, with over 25 years of proven performance in Europe and TÜV approval. Prolock clamps are easy to install using a matching tool, are made from durable mild steel, and come in sizes ranging from 19 to 33 mm. The hardiest option you could choose!
  • Zafety Lug Lock: A reusable option made from tough, flexible plastic. Available in five colours and four sizes (to fit 27–33 mm wheel nuts on 104 mm spacing), its flexible design ensures easy fitting without interfering with the centre hub on rear wheels.
  • Ric Clip: The re-useable Ric Clip wheel nut safety clamp fits over an adjacent pair of wheel nuts to reduce the risk of wheel nut loss. This device can be quickly fitted and removed. They're also colour-coded for easy access in a busy workshop.
  • Prolink: A great option for a low cost Wheel Nut Lock. Designed to fit most popular commercial vehicles including truck and bus with 27, 30, 32 or 33mm wheel nuts on 104mm nut spacing. 

Explore Wheel Nut Locks

Parma's Recommendation
Both Prolock and Zafety Lug Lock can be used alongside wheel indicators for maximum protection. This combination minimises the risk of wheel nut rotation and ensures that if a nut loses torque, the indicator alerts the driver during routine checks. For this reason, we suggest a combination of a wheel nut lock and indicators.

 


Hot Spot Markers
Wheel detachment can also be caused by end-component failure, which is much harder to spot. To help with this, Parma Group now offers Hot Spot Markers—an innovative solution for detecting overheating. These adhesive temperature labels are applied to the external metallic side of the wheel hub bearing housing. If the temperature rises above 180°C, part of the marker turns orange and stays that way until the problem is fixed and the marker is replaced. This makes it easier to identify temperature-related issues during driver checks, even after the overheating event has occurred.

We're especially proud of this product, as it's another step towards abolishing wheel detachment.

Parma's Hot Spot Markers

£305.00
Quantity

The Importance of Proactive Wheel Safety
Keeping wheels secure isn’t just another box to tick—it’s a vital responsibility, whether you’re looking after one vehicle or an entire fleet. The consequences of getting it wrong can be serious, but the good news is that most cases of wheel detachment are completely preventable.

By using Parma Group’s range of innovative products, you can take a proactive approach to wheel safety, reducing risks and protecting your vehicles, drivers, and everyone else on the road.

At Parma Group, we’re working towards a future where every journey is safer and smarter.

With our solutions, you can play a key role in making that vision a reality.

 

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Got Questions?

Get in touch, and we will be happy to assist you. Our opening hours are 8am - 5pm Monday to Friday. 
sales@parmagroup.co.uk
Tel: +44 (0)1728 745700