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The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) is ensuring school-leavers know how to drive safely around trucks, with a pop-up marquee at this year’s Schoolies on the Gold Coast.
NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto OAM said while the annual festivities usually saw young people doing more dancing than driving, the NHVR was committed to reminding school-leavers about the importance of heavy vehicle safety as they embark on their post-schooling journeys.
“Graduating school is an incredibly exciting time, and with this cohort of young adults, it’s important to make sure they are equipped with all the tools they need to safeguard their futures,” Mr Petroccitto said.
“Understanding how to drive safely around trucks is one part of ensuring these young people will thrive in life beyond high school.
“Getting your licence and going on road trips, drive-through runs or other day-to-day activities all involve sharing the road with heavy vehicles.
“From our research, only half (52%) of learner drivers have done practical lessons driving alongside trucks, so if we can help spread the message about how to do so safely, then we can help to save lives.”
Today, on Wednesday 20 November, the NHVR will host a pop-up marquee at the Schoolies Nation Festival on Seaworld Drive.
As part of the ‘Don’t #uck With A Truck’ safety campaign, young attendees will have the opportunity to go inside the back of semitrailer and take part in a video arcade game to test their road knowledge.
There will also be giveaways – with a $500 petrol voucher up for grabs - and other learning activities to help them feel more comfortable sharing the road with trucks.
“The NHVR is excited to have popular ‘Everybody Has A Secret’ podcast co-hosts Annabelle Lee and Louis Hanson with us at the event,” said Mr Petroccitto.
“They’ll be stationed at our marquee, asking Schoolies-goers to participate in spilling their secrets all while encouraging young participants to consider the importance of road safety.”
As part of their involvement, Annabelle and Louis will ask young drivers about:
- A time when they’ve been too impatient, such as not giving trucks enough room when overtaking,
- A time they’ve ghosted someone, such as sitting in a truck’s blind spot, and
- A time they’ve gotten too close to someone, such as cutting in front of a truck without leaving them enough room to stop.
‘Don’t #uck With A Truck’ is a safety campaign created by the NHVR and aimed at improving young drivers’ awareness and education of how to drive safely around trucks.
For more information on the campaign, visitwww.dontmuckwithatruck.com.au