NHVR shines the light on safety during National Road Safety Week: 187 lives lost in heavy vehicle accidents last year

The following article is an abridgement of an article originally published on the NHVR website.

National Road Safety Week is underway with a strong emphasis on improving heavy vehicle safety.

NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto highlights the importance of driver awareness in sharing the road safely with heavy vehicles, noting that in the previous year, 187 lives were lost in accidents involving heavy vehicles out of 1,272 total road fatalities.

To prevent further tragedies, the NHVR urges light vehicle drivers to:

• Leave two lanes for trucks when they are turning: Truck drivers often need to take up more than one lane to turn at corners, intersections and roundabouts, so keep both lanes beside a truck free when it is turning.‍
• Give trucks extra space: Trucks require longer braking distances and take a lot longer to slow down and stop than cars. When pulling in front of a truck, give them 3 to 4 times more space than you would give a car.‍
• Avoid lingering in a truck's blind spot: Truck’s have larger blind spots than cars. When overtaking a truck, wait for a dedicated overtaking lane or long stretch of road where you have a clear view ahead, then indicate and overtake quickly to reduce the time you’re in a truck’s blind spot.

“Last year, we saw 1,272 lives lost in crashes on Australia’s roads – 187 of these lives were taken in crashes that involved a heavy vehicle.”

“Behind these numbers are real people, whose loss is deeply felt by loved ones and their communities."

“This National Road Safety Week, the NHVR wants to prevent further tragedy on our roads, by sharing vital information about how to drive safely around heavy vehicles.”

Petroccitto emphasises the NHVR's commitment to supporting drivers in compliance with safety regulations and encourages dialogue between drivers and NHVR officers.

National Road Safety Week was founded by Peter Frazer following the loss of his daughter in a road accident and aims to raise awareness and prevent further casualties. Frazer urges drivers to prioritise safety and take the pledge to drive responsibly to protect all road users:

“Everyone has a right to get home safe to their loved ones … every day… no exceptions!”

Additionally, the NHVR launched the Heavy Vehicle Industry Safety Survey on the 7th May to enhance safety initiatives and support within the industry. All members of the heavy vehicle industry are invited to participate in the survey, which will inform future safety measures.

Everyone involved in the heavy vehicle industry, including loaders and schedulers, may participate in the survey by accessing it here.

For more information, visit National Road Safety Week 2024.

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Sources

Making our roads safer: NHVR shines a light on heavy vehicle safety this National Road Safety Week by NHVR, 7th May, 2024.

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