Motorists across regional New South Wales are being urged to take extra care on rural roads this harvest season as part of the Be Truck Aware campaign.
The awareness initiative encourages drivers to share the road safely with heavy vehicles and farm machinery during one of the busiest times of the year for regional transport.
The return of the summer harvest means more trucks and agricultural equipment are travelling between farms and grain receival sites across the state’s west.
Transport for NSW is reminding motorists to plan, manage fatigue and show patience when encountering large or slow-moving vehicles.
Campaign promoting safer harvest travel
The truck awareness campaign is being promoted through radio messages, social media, and variable message signs (VMS) along key freight and farming routes.
These messages remind motorists to keep a safe distance from trucks, wear seatbelts and stay alert to changing traffic conditions.
The campaign is supported by Transport for NSW, GrainCorp, the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator and state farming networks, highlighting shared responsibility for road safety.
Transport for NSW Acting Executive Director Partnerships and Integration West, Holly Davies, says harvest is both a productive and high-risk period for regional communities.
“All motorists need to be aware that harvest season brings an increase in large and slow-moving vehicles and farm machinery on our roads, and it is every driver’s responsibility to act safely around them,” Davies says.
“Because of their size and length, trucks have larger blind spots than the average car, which means the truck driver might not be able to see you.
“Always exercise caution when driving near heavy vehicles and be patient if you find yourself behind a slow-moving truck or piece of machinery.”
Fatigue management and rail crossing safety
Davies says fatigue remains one of themost significantt risks on regional roads during harvest.
“Harvest is often a time where operators need to work around the weather to meet deadlines to get grain to silos, which can mean long days operating heavy machinery or driving a truck,” she says.
“Managing fatigue during harvest season is critical to the safety of all road users.”
Studies have shown that being awake for 17 hours can affect driving performance as much as a blood alcohol level of 0.05.
Davies says drivers should ensure they are well rested and allow extra travel time to avoid fatigue.
The campaign also complements the Slow Down. Look and Listen for Trains initiative, which promotes awareness of level crossing safety across regional NSW.
VMS signs have been installed at key crossings in Wellington, Bylong, Trangie, Nyngan, Moree, Dubbo and Narrabri.
“These messages remind drivers to slow down, stay alert and give heavy vehicles space, especially near rail crossings where visibility and reaction time are critical,” Davies says.