The transport industry welcomes initiatives to improve road safety.
AN initiative designed to give motorists an idea of what truck drivers face every day on the roads has been welcomed by a Warrnambool truck company.
A truck fitted with interactive games and information is hitting the state’s highways and freeways in a two-month roadshow to encourage greater respect between car and truck drivers.
Ryans Trucks managing director Graham Ryan said any initiative which encouraged road users to work together was welcomed by the transport industry.
He said there were no specific issues which his drivers faced, instead it was more the day-to-day task of being on the road.
“It’s good if the government is making some awareness that we need to be able to all work together,” he said.
“At the end of the day we all want to get home safely. Any support that encourages that is welcomed.”
Minister for Roads Terry Mulder unveiled the Road to Respect campaign yesterday and said the aim was to encourage all road users to share the road, in particular focusing on the relationship between cars and trucks.
He said the centrepiece of the campaign was the Road to Respect Roadshow, a travelling road safety exhibition.
“We are providing people with the opportunity to understand and experience the roads from a truck driver’s perspective and vice versa. Simple things such as understanding the physical limitations of heavy vehicles, like braking distance and blind spots, can make a big difference,” he said.
VicRoads director of vehicle management and safety Don Hogben said Road to Respect was a timely campaign to emphasise that Victoria’s roads were a shared resource.
“Freight plays an important role in society and our daily lives,” he said
“Ultimately, our aim is to shift driver and rider behaviour so that all road users — big or small — are treated with the respect they deserve on Victoria’s roads.”
Steps to be safer around trucks include:
- Truck blind spots are large. Know where they are and make sure the driver can see your vehicle in the truck’s mirrors.
- Trucks take longer to stop. Don’t drive in the gap that is required for a truck to stop safely.
- When overtaking a truck, be patient and wait for a safe opportunity. Look and allow enough time and distance to overtake.
- Don’t drive too closely to the vehicle in front. Be respectful to other road users.
- All road users have a right to use the road. You have a responsibility to play your part.
- Don’t overtake or travel beside a turning truck. Trucks use more road space to turn.
For more information visit www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/RoadToRespect