The Driving Better Health Convoy will commence today Monday 24 May from Followmont Transport at Eagle Farm. Drivers will be receiving a free health check that will take around 20 minutes.
Taking the Heart of Australia health assessment service to drivers on the road is an initiative driven by the Queensland Trucking Association (QTA) to make it easier for drivers to get a checkup without having to worry about an out of hours appointment.
The Driving Better Health Project is being delivered by the Queensland Trucking Association and funded by the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator’s Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiative, with support from the Federal Government.
Followmont Transport were the first business to jump on board the project.
“We are really focussed on looking after the health of drivers and having access to these free health checks is a great way for drivers to find out ways they can improve their livestyle to increase their health and wellbeing. We have encouraged them to do it for themselves and their families,” says GM Linehaul, Ben Tobin.
The HEART 3 truck will be on the road travelling up the Bruce Highway to five locations this week and finishing in Townsville on Friday 28 May at the Brown and Hurley dealership.
“The barrier to many truck driver getting those important health checks is availability and accessibility so we are taking the service to them on the road with our Driving Better Health Project.” says QTA CEO Gary Mahon.
“It’s all about looking after the health of our drivers and promoting the small things they can do to do create long term healthy habits to keep fit and well. The free mobile health checks will support our drivers who are out on our roads day and night providing an essential service to keep our cities and communities functioning.”
NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto said the funding was part of $5.5 million in safety grants being distributed across the country in 2020-21 to improve heavy vehicle safety.
“We know there is a correlation between an increased risk of vehicle incidents and driver health and wellbeing,” Petroccitto says.
“Heavy vehicle safety is everyone’s responsibility and through local safety programs and the efforts of organisations like the QTA we can make our roads safer for all road users.”
Appointments can be made online here for the following dates.
Brisbane Monday 24 May
Maryborough Tuesday 25 May
Rockhampton Wednesday 26 May
Mackay Thursday 27 May
Townsville Friday 28 May