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ATA safety truck relaunched as SafeT360

SafeT360’s immersive technology to educate new generation of road users

 

The Australian Trucking Association’s (ATA’s) safety truck initiative has gained a high-tech upgrade and federal backing to educate young people on safety around heavy vehicles.

The Volvo ATA Safety Truck has relaunched as SafeT360 with a specific focus on educating young Australians on how to safely share roads with heavy vehicles.

SafeT360 is described as an interactive custom-built road safety exhibition that uses virtual reality and interactive messaging all packed into a real travelling truck and trailer.

Visitors to the exhibition will gain an understanding of where a truck’s blind spots are, how long it takes a truck to stop, the dangers of distraction, and other tips about how to keep themselves and their loved ones safe around trucks.

ATA chair Geoff Crouch says the key target demographic of 16- to 25-year-old road users are overrepresented in crash statistics, “and this must change”.

“Trucks are an essential part of Australia’s day-to-day life and will always be on our roads. As an industry and with the support of the Australian Government, we are leading the way to educate the next generation of road users and, most importantly, save lives,” Crouch says.

“SafeT360 is the new face of road safety education that will deliver an engaging and hands-on behavioural change experience.”


The ATA flagged a redesign of its safety truck last year


Federal transport minister Michael McCormack committed $400,000 to the ATA to support the initiative

“The Volvo ATA Safety Truck will play a crucial role in helping to reduce the number of deaths and serious injuries caused in crashes involving trucks,” McCormack says.

“This important initiative is focused on 16 to 25-year-old drivers and will reach 50,000 young people each year, delivering engaging, hands-on education about how to drive safely around heavy vehicles.”

Assistant Minister for Road Safety and Freight Transport Scott Buchholz says the Volvo ATA Safety Truck will equip future drivers with the skills they need to stay safe on the road.

“Young road users will be put in a virtual driver’s seat to increase their understanding of truck blind spots, the dangers of cutting in front of trucks, overtaking turning trucks and the dangers of driver distraction,” Buchholz says.

“This will be supported by informative, small group presentations that reinforce safety messages and drive behavioural change.”

“The Volvo ATA Safety Truck will travel Australia-wide to visit career expos, high schools, TAFE colleges, universities and key road safety events.”

In addition to the federal government funding, the Volvo ATA Safety Truck is supported by ATA Foundation Sponsors BP, Volvo and National Transport Insurance, as well as Australia Post and 3M.

 

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