A creatively wrapped or colourful truck can brighten up the day of any road user, bringing a little touch of joy to the experience of driving.
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Stop Slow Traffic Control, based in Illawarra, New South Wales, run a fleet of Isuzu Ready-to-Work Traypacks with some of the most eye-catching wraps on the road.
Presenting vehicles with an intriguing — and importantly, highly visible design — generates interest for people having to slowly navigate roadworks, but also provides a point of difference for Stop Slow from their competitors.
Stop Slow’s Director Lisa Murphy says there are multiple benefits for the business and their clients.
“Most other traffic control companies have plain white vehicles with a logo; there’s nothing that’s really eye-catching or that makes them stand out.
“People notice our vehicles, which is a critical safety requirement, plus the team have so much pride in the trucks that they are always presented clean even after working in all types of weather and site conditions.
“But we are not all for show here at Stop Slow; we work towards being the best and the most reliable traffic control company in the Illawarra, which at the end of the day, is what we’re all about.”
Quality control
Stop Slow provides a range of traffic control services, including designing traffic plans, on-site traffic management, risk management and traffic equipment hire for their local area.
This means you’ll find the team operating at everything from road works, construction sites, public events, and even the odd film shoot, whenever their expertise is called for.
The business has continued to reach milestones and higher safety standards thanks to the reliability of their Isuzu truck fleet, according to Lisa.
“The Isuzu trucks are a great set-up for us as our equipment fits perfectly onto the Traypack and is consistent across all the vehicles for the crews.
“My crew love driving the Isuzu trucks; they appreciate the quality level of comfort and safety.”
The fleet includes 14 Isuzu trucks with the Ready-to-Work Traypack as a firm favourite; seven NNR 45-150 Crew Cab Traypacks, four NLR 45-150 Traypacks, two NLR 200 Traypacks and one FTR 900 Medium Rigid Traffic Mounted Attenuator that helps safely direct traffic and drop off equipment and crew.
Both NLR and NNR 45-150 Traypack models come with a 4,500 kg GVM that can be driven on a standard car licence, opening the potential for multiple Stop Slow staff to get behind the wheel.
Fleet efficiency
Isuzu’s Traypacks feature a heavy-duty aluminium tray, grab handles, removable drop sides and a quick-release tailgate that add up to deliver a driver-friendly package.
NLR and NNR Traypack models also feature an integrated headboard and rear window protector, plus the addition of Isuzu’s genuine bullbar for the protection of company staff.
Lisa says their unforgettable truck designs —which are complemented by catchy names —came about through a heightened demand for their service during the pandemic.
“Traffic control became a priority during COVID, but when we needed to increase our fleet, we also had no time to re-spray trucks,” says Lisa.
“We got a plain white NNR from Suttons Motors Arncliffe and from an idea to use a black wrap, it quickly became ‘Black Panther’ in honour of my daughter’s favourite NRL team, the Penrith Panthers.
“From that point on, we have continued to roll with the idea of customising each truck, with signwriter Di Signs using the inspiration to come up with new designs.”
With many different locations, conditions and operational requirements, Stop Slow Traffic Control has designated a role for each of its Isuzu vehicles.
The business’s 10-year anniversary truck, known as ‘Black Betty’ — popular among staff and clients — is a homage to the popular Spiderbait song as well as Lisa’s mother. Another firm favourite is the hot pink truck named ‘Queeny’ which was designed and wrapped as a surprise for Lisa organised by her husband.
“Queeny is one of our advanced warning vehicles, so it’s a smaller truck that sits on the road shoulder prior to the worksite with a variety of warnings on its message board,” Lisa explains.
Fresh faces in the workforce
Stop Slow Traffic Control’s company dynamics — mirroring a broader trend in other transport-related fields in Australia — has been undergoing a gender and generational shift. As Lisa explains, the truck designs weren’t the only thing to change for the business during the COVID-19 lockdowns. Many Australians were left unemployed, with casual staff taking the brunt of redundancies.
During this period, Stop Slow Traffic Control welcomed a new workforce to the ranks: female hairdressers from salons that were facing indefinite closure.
“Hairdressers are such hard workers; they are used to being on their feet 10 hours a day,” says Lisa.
“Suddenly, I had 15 brand-new female employees enjoying the sunshine and fresh air of traffic control… I couldn’t have asked for more capable additions to the Stop Slow team.
“We are now a big mix of age groups and genders, with everyone bringing something to the table.”
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