The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) has partnered with the Queensland government on a new road safety campaign targeting heavy vehicle drivers.
Following the 2024 National Truck Accident Research Centre report, which reveals the number of crashes involving heavy vehicles has increased by 27 per cent since 2020, the new campaign, ‘A Truckie Knows’, highlights the importance of safety for truck drivers.
In 2024, Queensland also experienced the highest number of road fatalities in 15 years, with 303 lives lost.
Following the recent Bruce Highway Advisory Council formation and the 80:20 funding agreement with the federal government on $9 billion Bruce Highway upgrades, this new campaign will form a “fresh start” for Queensland’s transport industry, according to transport and main roads minister Brent Mickelberg.
“From the Gulf to the border, truckies undertake one of our most demanding and important jobs – delivering our state’s goods safely, securely, and on time, while playing a key role in keeping our highways safe,” he says.
“One of the most important elements of road safety is giving every vehicle the space it needs. As the campaign calls out, we can all influence how we interact with other road users.
“This is especially important for building resilience along our freight corridors, crucial to the flow of essential goods around the state.
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“We have delivered on our commitment to reinstate the Bruce Highway Advisory Council which meets again on March 19, and the state government has restored an 80:20 funding agreement with the Federal Government and secured a $9 billion package for safety upgrades for the Bruce Highway.”
NHVR executive director Michelle Tayler says part of the ‘A Truckie Knows’ campaign was about reminding road users how to respect other drivers, including heavy vehicles.
“There are truck drivers on Australia’s roads who have seen first-hand the full spectrum of driver behaviour,” Tayler says.
“When you’re covering hundreds of thousands of kilometres of road, you learn important lessons like respect being a two-way street, leaving space for other drivers to make mistakes and that speeding doesn’t get you there faster.
“’A Truckie Knows’ is about highlighting our truck drivers and the critical job they do and asking them to share this wisdom with their peers.”
Wemyss Transport’s Robert Topp, who appears in the campaign, says he’s proud to voice his experiences from over two decades of driving Queensland roads for work and joined the Queensland government and NHVR calling on all truck drivers to share the road safely.
“We all know in theory how to make the roads as safe as possible, but this campaign is about making sure safe driving behaviour is always front of mind and reinforcing the message of respect,” Topp says.
In a recent survey conducted by the NHVR, 64 per cent of light vehicle drivers reported tailgating as the most common aggressive driving behaviour experienced from heavy vehicles.
The same survey also revealed nearly nine in 10 truck drivers reported experiencing a dangerous situation with a light vehicle over a four-week period.
Tayler says it’s important for the NHVR to highlight safety information for both heavy and light vehicle drivers, and for all road users to show respect behind the wheel.
“Our findings showed only nine per cent of truck drivers reported feeling the general public respects their profession,” she says.
“Truck drivers generally have to deal with inexperienced drivers, long hours and tight deadlines, so there are frustrations that could impact behaviour on the roads.
“We need all drivers to give one another space and make road safety the highest priority.”
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