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The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) is reminding school leavers of the importance of sharing the road safely with trucks, ahead of graduation festivities over the coming weeks.
A recent study conducted by the NHVR, surveyed 1000 drivers aged 16-25 across Australia and highlighted the disconnect between young drivers’ self-assessed confidence and their actual comfort level sharing the road with heavy vehicles.
The survey revealed that while young drivers believed they understood how to safely share the road with heavy vehicles, just 29% felt very knowledgeable about the rules, bringing to light a real risk as an influx of school graduates prepare to travel to Schoolies events across the country.
72% of young drivers agreed they wanted to find out more information about increasing their safety when sharing the road with trucks, so the NHVR is taking the Don’t #uck With A Truck campaign to Schoolies on the Gold Coast, to educate the next generation of drivers.
NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto OAM said while heavy vehicle safety is not a usual topic of discussion amongst young people, the NHVR’s goal is to bring the conversation to life, and help teach inexperienced drivers how to safely share the road.
“This year alone, Australia has recorded 167 fatal crashes involving heavy vehicles and 190 lives lost,” Mr Petroccitto said.
“Our studies show many young drivers experience anxiety or nervousness driving near heavy vehicles, and with our road toll only continuing to rise, this is a huge cause for concern.
“Typically, around 70 per cent of serious incidents involving both heavy and light vehicles are the fault of the light vehicle, highlighting the need for greater education, and this education starts with our young drivers.
“On Wednesday, 22 November, the NHVR will be heading down to Schoolies on the Gold Coast.
“At the event, school leavers will have the opportunity to go inside the back of semi-trailer and take part in a virtual reality experience, giveaways and other learning opportunities to help them feel more comfortable sharing the road with trucks.
“TikTok creator Luisa Dal Din will be in attendance at the event helping us spread this crucial safety message – as someone school graduates know and love to watch online.”
With over 230 thousand followers and 9.3 million likes on TikTok, Luisa Dal Din is excited to use her social media following to promote a vital road safety campaign.
“While classes may be dismissed, Don’t #uck With A Truck is still teaching graduates important life lessons at Schoolies this year and I’m stoked to be involved and support this important initiative,” Ms Dal Din said.
“When I was finishing school and getting my P plates – driving safely around heavy vehicles was something that just wasn’t spoken about – but it can have a real impact on saving lives on our roads.”
Don’t #uck With A Truck is a campaign created by the NHVR last year, to improve young drivers’ awareness and education of how to drive safely around trucks.
The campaign will also feature on social media (TikTok, Instagram), Spotify and outdoor billboards throughout the duration of Schoolies to reiterate this safety message to young drivers.
For more information on the campaign visit www.dontmuckwithatruck.com.au