Fatigue management gets priority as state government advises holiday makers to keep out of heavy vehicle rest areas
With COVID restrictions looking to ease, Queensland’s Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) has strengthened its stance on motorists taking up space in heavy vehicle specific rest areas, introducing new rules to ensure those sites are used for fatigue management only.
TMR says the state has around 450 rest areas, which are a mixture of motorist, heavy vehicle and combined motorists and heavy vehicle rest areas.
However, around 115 of those locations are for heavy vehicle stopping only. Another 50 sites are designated as combined motorist and heavy vehicle rest areas.
According to TMR, the changes clarify the requirements for rest area use and camping on the state-controlled road network, including fines for light vehicle drivers using heavy vehicle-only areas.
“Truck drivers need to be able to rest in the heavy vehicle rest areas – they should not be used by other motorists, or to stop and camp,” TMR advises.
“Fines may apply if you are not driving a commercial or heavy vehicle and you are found using a heavy vehicle rest area.
“These fines are in place to make sure truck drivers get to take their legislated rest breaks when using Queensland roads.”
TMR also points out that general and recreational vehicles can stop at an applicable rest area for up to 20 hours unless signed otherwise, but they are not camping sites or an accommodation option.