The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) has partnered with some Australian icons for the ‘We ALL Need Space’ campaign, to promote safely sharing the road with heavy vehicles this holiday season.
Famous faces who jumped onboard include comedian Jimmy Rees, ex rugby league player Sam Thaiday, country music artist James Blundell, Outback Truckers star Glenn Kendall and truck driver Casuarina Smith.
The campaign comes after a recent study conducted by the NHVR surveying 1000 drivers across Australia, found that half of motorists (51 per cent) experience anxiety or nervousness when driving near heavy vehicles.
The survey revealed while drivers believe they have some understanding of how to safely share the road with heavy vehicles, just 32 per cent feel very knowledgeable about the rules.
The We All Need Space campaign focuses on simple yet vital safety tips: don’t overtake trucks, caravan etiquette, and encouraging light vehicle drivers to remember that trucks have much larger blind spots and need more space to stop.
NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto says it is apparent that there are gaps in motorists’ knowledge and the campaign aims to encourage people to educate themselves so both motorists and truck drivers reach their destination safely.
“During the festive season, we see an increase in road traffic and, unfortunately, accidents, so our We ALL Need Space campaign is our response, aiming to educate and remind everyone of the importance of sharing the road with heavy vehicles,” Petroccitto says.
“Our truck drivers are the real Santa Clauses of Australia, tirelessly working during the holidays to ensure our gifts are delivered and our supermarkets are stocked.
“It’s important to remember that roads are their workplace and to treat them with respect. They play a crucial role in our festive spirit and economy, so we must ensure their safety and ours.”
Building on the success of the campaign earlier in the year, the campaign will feature across social media to increase public awareness about safe driving practices around heavy vehicles during the busy holiday travel period.
NHVR acting executive director of corporate affairs Steve Smith says partnering with diverse and influential figures has been essential in amplifying the campaign’s reach and success.
“Their ability to engage with wide audiences across different sectors has brought great attention and support to our road safety message and we’re excited to continue this over the busy Christmas period,” Smith says.
“Through this campaign, we’re not just spreading a message; we’re building a community of informed and cautious drivers. Each of us plays a crucial role in making our roads safer.”