Trucking operators asked to have their say on how to spend $40m to improve safety and productivity
Trucking operators are being urged to have a say in the construction of new rest areas and road upgrades as part of a $40 million heavy vehicle program.
The final part of the Rudd Government’s $70 million Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Program will soon be allocated as part of an plan to improve rest areas, freight routes and the uptake of new monitoring technology
Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Anthony Albanese called for submission from industry and government on how the money can be used.
“The Government is committed to building more rest stops and investing in cutting-edge technology to make highways safer for truck drivers and the motorists sharing the roads with them,” Albanese says.
He says electronic monitoring trials such as an onboard ‘black box’ and new rest stops and parking areas will help improve safety, while adding that upgrades to bridges will allow vehicles to carry more freight.
“All up, we are providing $70 million for safety projects through this Program. The first round of $30 million has already provided to 150 projects earlier this year,” Albanese says.
He says speed and driver fatigue continue to play a significant role in heavy vehicle accidents and that the multi-million dollar program was developed in consultation with the industry to address the problem.
“The $70 million Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Program builds on the $119.5 million that we are already providing this year to fix black spots on local roads and national highways,” Albanese says.