There are a number of reasons why tippers are disproportionately dangerous, off the top of my head;
Paid traditionally a piece rate, the more trips they can make, the more they get paid. So they are under a time pressure.
High cab design means that driver visibility is poor
Disproportionate urban concentration of these vehicles during major construction projects.
Often a disproportionate concentration of vehicles during early rush hour as morning deliveries are made and the first loads of spoil of the day are taken away from the site. This is exacerbated in London as the City have banished these vehicles overnight to reduce noise. So at 7AM they're queued up and raring to go. I imagine they may be restricted to daylight hours too in Edinburgh as part of any noise management strategy during works in or near residential areas
The rigid body design has 2 pairs of wheels with a gap inbetween. They have a horrible habit of being able to trap / suck in cyclists as they turn across them. I don't need to elaborate on what happens if you or your bike gets caught in the gaps. The vehicles I've seen exiting Donaldsons have no safety skirts along the side, which are designed to stop this terrifying occurrence.
The rigid body with 2 steering axles at the front also means they don't necessarily turn in the manner thatyou might expect a long vehicle to.
When they are empty, these things can fairly fly.
Happy to be corrected on any of the above points.
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