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NHVR Chief Operations Officer Paul Salvati said the message behind Fatality Free Friday (May 29) was particularly relevant for the heavy vehicle industry as the number of fatal crashes involving heavy vehicles continues to rise.
“In 2025 there were more than 190 fatal crashes involving heavy vehicles on our roads, resulting in 210 fatalities – 13 more than the year before,” he said.
“In the first quarter of 2026 there have been 44 incidents involving heavy vehicles which have resulted in 50 fatalities. This is 15 more lives lost than the same period in 2025 – that’s a trend that must change."
Mr Salvati said that while the Australian Road Safety Foundation’s Fatality Free Friday initiative is held on one day, the focus on road safety within the heavy vehicle industry must be a daily priority.
Mr Salvati said drivers, fleet managers and organisations all had a part to play in ensuring the heavy vehicle industry was working to decrease fatalities on our roads.
“While drivers are the ones behind the wheel, fleet owners and operators must put processes in place that adhere to safety requirements and support drivers to comply with rules and regulations that are in place.
“Our entire industry has a part to play in reducing the road toll, so we are also calling on operators to support their employees to remain vigilant in adhering to rest requirements while on the road.”
Heavy vehicle drivers who feel pressured by their employer to drive while fatigued are encouraged to call the NHVR’s Heavy Vehicle Confidential Reporting Line on 1800 931 785.
The NHVR produces a range of resources to educate light vehicle drivers on how to share the road safely with heavy vehicles, including the popular Don’t #uck With a Truck campaign aimed at arming young drivers with techniques to drive safely around trucks.
Veteran long haul truck driver and road safety advocate Rod Hannifey said while many drivers see roads as a way to get from A to B, for truckies the roads are a workplace.
“Truckies go to work to get home safely and we hope you do too. The roads are our workplace and no one goes to work to get injured or, even worse, not make it home,” Rod said.
He said if all drivers exercised patience and respect on the roads, they would be a safer place for everyone.
“Road courtesy is becoming a bit of a lost art – if we imagined that learner driver was our son or daughter or that older driver was our grandparent, we might change our behaviour on the roads and that could save lives.”
Guidance and advice on heavy vehicle driver fatigue management can be found on the NHVR website as well as helpful resources and tips on sharing the road.
Further information is available on Fatality Free Friday.