The National Heavy Regulator (NHVR) is reminding caravanners of the importance of sharing the road with heavy vehicles this month as holidaymakers head off on new year road trips across the country.
A recent survey conducted by the NHVR of 1000 Australian drivers revealed how caravanners have a lack of understanding of how to share the road with trucks.
The survey showed that 60 per cent of caravanners park in truck specific rest areas and 22 per cent are doing so often.
NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto says it’s important for caravanners to understand that truck drivers need specific rest areas to manage their fatigue and rest requirements.
“While 66 per cent of Australians surveyed are currently aware that they shouldn’t use these truck rest spaces, they don’t understand the implications or the why – and the consequences can be devastating,” Petroccitto says.
“Fatigue is one of the leading factors that affect safety and heavy vehicle crashes, and when fatigue management requirements aren’t adhered to, there can be serious consequences for all road users.”
The NHVR says the survey also highlighted caravanners’ uncertainty about communicating with truck drivers on the road, with only half of caravanners aware that they can and should use their UHF radio to do so.
“Using a UHF radio if available is vital for communicating with heavy vehicle drivers to let them know you are going to overtake them or so they can let you know when they’re going to overtake you,” Petroccitto says.
NHVR corporate affairs executive director Michelle Tayler says the campaign uses comedian Jimmy Rees to reach out to caravanners and get the message across in a unique way.
“We joined forces with Rees earlier in the year to share this message with caravanners because as a dad who likes caravanning during the school holidays, he has seen all sorts of drivers out there, especially when towing something heavy,” Tayler says.
“The videos are a comical mix of educational content and real-life issues that impact Australian caravanners and will be broadcast across social media throughout January.
“The videos provide an important safety message in a way that resonates with the average caravanners.”
The NHVR’s We All Need Space campaign provides simple tips for drivers on how to drive safely around oversized loads, overtaking trucks, how to keep out of trucks’ blind spots and rules around overtaking a turning truck.