Light vehicle users targeted in education initiative
A new series of videos educating light vehicle drivers how to behave around trucks has been rolled out on the eve of the busy Easter period, covering topics such as overtaking, road positioning and stopping distances.
The Share the Road videos were produced by Whiteline Television and funded by the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator’s (NHVR)’s Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiative (HVSI), supported by the Commonwealth Government.
NHVR corporate affairs executive director Joe Fitzgerald says the video series was based on key themes highlighted by truck drivers asked to identify the most common safety issues they encountered while working on the road.
“When a light vehicle driver makes a mistake around a heavy vehicle, the consequences can be extremely serious, even fatal,” Fitzgerald said.
“I’m concerned that there is no formal requirement to teach new drivers about sharing the road with heavy vehicles, nor is it a focus for most driver education programs.
“That’s why this series of short videos is a great quick and easy way of reminding drivers how to share the road safely during the busy Easter holidays.”
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The videos aere co-hosted by heavy vehicle safety advocate Rod Hannifey and radio presenter Nicole Rutledge.
“The videos use a combination of on-road scenarios, graphics and animations to explain each tip in a straightforward and down-to-earth way,” Whiteline Television’s executive producer Stephen McCarthy says.
“They were Rod’s brainchild, leading on from his driver surveys to identify truckies’ top tips.
“It’s also great to have Nicole lending her support, because she’s from a transport family. Her grandfather and father owned their own transport companies, and her father has been inducted into the National Road Transport Hall of Fame.”
Topics covered include:
- Stopping distance
- Do not overtake turning vehicle – corners
- Being overtaken by a heavy vehicle
- Speed limited vehichles
- Road courtesy
- Road positioning
- High beam and fog lights
- Caravans and motorhomes
- Overtaking heavy vehicles
- Do not overtake turning vehicle – roundabouts
01 Dont cut in front of trucks from Whiteline Television on Vimeo.
All videos and more information is available at www.sharetheroad.net.au.