New statistics show a decline in the number of deaths involving heavy rigid trucks
By Rob McKay | July 29, 2010
The Australian Trucking Association refused today to be overly enthused at the latest Federal Government truck death statistics, which show the general downward trend in fatalities continuing.
The Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development’s figures for October to December showed a heartening drop in heavy-rigid truck deaths.
There were 81 deaths from 77 crashes involving heavy rigid trucks, a fall of 13.5 percent compared with the previous 12-month period.
These fatalities have increased by an average of 3.1 percent per year over the three years to last December, causing alarm among industry representative bodies.
There were 144 deaths from 119 crashes involving articulated trucks, a fall of 7.8 percent.
“The results are positive, but there is always more that needs to be done,” ATA Government relations manager Bill McKinley says.
“Even one death on our roads is unacceptable.”
In a bid to reduce the number of fatal truck accidents further, the association says it will focus its safety efforts on getting more rest areas built, strong national chain of responsibility laws and ensuring drivers are fit for duty before beginning their shift.
Click here to view the statistics.