A national truck safety campaign has been launched in Victoria today, as the Andrews Labor Government works hard to cut this year’s devastating road toll.
The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator’s ‘We Need Space’ campaign targets car drivers, with recent research showing light vehicle drivers cause four-out-of-five crashes involving heavy vehicles.
The campaign videos were shot in Victoria and offer simple safety tips such as how allowing extra room for heavy vehicles to brake can reduce the risk for all road users. The awareness campaign also includes posters and fact sheets.
There have been 19 fatalities involving heavy vehicles this year. There has been a gradual decline in heavy vehicle fatalities including trucks and buses across Victoria from 60 in 2014 to 27 in 2018, but that figure is still too high.
Australian Supercars star and commentator Garth Tander and Award-winning truck driver Kerri Connors are part of the campaign.
It’s important that all road users are aware that trucks are difficult to manoeuvre, have large blind spots and must navigate unpredictable traffic coming from behind, alongside and in front.
For more information and to watch the campaign video, visit weneedspace.com.au.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Roads, Road Safety and TAC Jaala Pulford
“We’ve had a tragic start to the year on our roads and this campaign provides some simple and easy tips for sharing our roads safely with heavy vehicles.”
“I urge motorists not to be tempted by taking a risk to save a minute – wait for an overtaking lane or a safe opportunity to overtake large vehicles.”
Quote attributable to CEO of National Heavy Vehicle Regulator Sal Petroccitto
“It’s important that all road users are aware that a truck is difficult to manoeuvre, it has large blind spots and can have unpredictable traffic coming from behind, alongside and in front.”
Quote attributable to CEO of VicRoads Robyn Seymour
“All road users have a part to play in road safety and the consequences of having a crash with a heavy vehicle are often devastating.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020