Road managers
Accessibility tools
The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) is urging all road users to take care around heavy vehicles ahead of the Christmas and New Year period.
According to the Bureau of Infrastructure and Transport Research Economics (BITRE), tragically there have been 165 fatalities involving heavy vehicles in 2022 so far.
NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto said the upcoming holiday period is a timely reminder for the community to ensure they are driving safely around trucks.
“It’s important that all road users are aware that a truck is difficult to manoeuvre, it has large blindspots and other vehicles can be hidden behind, alongside and in front,” he said.
“When you add it all together, it really does take a lot of skill for a truck driver to get from point A to point B safely and all road users need to play a role in the safety of that journey.”
The NHVR’s ‘We Need Space’ campaign was launched to provide tips to light vehicle drivers on how they can safely share the road with trucks.
Mr Petroccitto said sharing the ‘We Need Space’ message is vital and could help save the life of your family members or friends during Australia’s busiest time of year on roads.
“Never cut in front of an oversize vehicle – they can’t stop suddenly, and they can’t bend. When going round a corner, they can sweep across several lanes, so passing on corners can be extremely dangerous.”
“By following these simple steps, you can help keep Australia’s roads safe for all road users over the Christmas and New Year break.
“A part of our role as the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator is to keep our roads safe and heavy vehicles moving and it’s through a shared understanding across all road users around how to share our roads safely that allows this to happen.”
In addition to the ‘We Need Space’ campaign, the NHVR’s ‘Don’t Muck with a Truck’ campaign is aimed at helping young drivers operate safely around trucks.
To learn more about these campaigns, including access to helpful advice and tools about driving safely around trucks, visit www.nhvr.gov.au/weneedspace and www.nhvr.gov.au/dmwat