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The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) is urging both truckies and light vehicle drivers to put safety first this Queensland Road Safety Week (21-25 August), in a bid to drive down road trauma.
Queensland Road Safety Week is an annual awareness campaign, focussing on road safety and responsibility.
This Queensland Road Safety Week, the NHVR is joining the conversation to encourage safe driving, with this year’s theme ‘Road safety starts with me.’
NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto OAM said the regulator was proud to promote such an important safety message.
“Our organisation’s purpose is to ensure heavy vehicle safety for the benefit of all road users, and this campaign is a powerful reminder for heavy vehicle drivers to make safe decisions when they are behind the wheel,” Mr Petroccitto said.
“We know driving a heavy vehicle offers more challenges compared to driving a light vehicle, so it’s imperative truckies are complying with safety requirements, such as fatigue and access management.”
However, Mr Petroccitto said it’s not just heavy vehicle drivers who bear the responsibility of road safety.
“The key message of this campaign is that everyone has a role in keeping our roads safe,” he said.
“We know around 70% of serious incidents involving both heavy and light vehicles are the fault of the light vehicle driver.
“This is why the NHVR is delivering important educational campaigns, such as We All Need Space, which provides simple tips for light vehicle drivers about how to drive safely around trucks.
“This includes maintaining a safe distance around trucks, which are unable to brake or swerve as quickly.
“Trucks also have four blind spots and are legally allowed to take up more than one lane to turn at corners, intersections, and roundabouts.
“With 26 fatal crashes involving a heavy vehicle up until July this year in Queensland, tragically resulting in 30 deaths, these tips are more important than ever.
“We want all road users to get home safely to their loved ones, and Queensland Road Safety Week is just one of the ways we can spread the message of road safety and reduce our rising road toll.”
To learn more about the NHVR’s We All Need Space campaign, visit www.nhvr.gov.au/weallneedspace