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NTI in rest stop and freight platform moves

Insurer highlights rest stop overcrowding, joins freight-matching space

 

The lead-up to Christmas has seen industry insurer National Transport Insurance (NTI) take action on the freight-matching space and rest stop overcrowding.

Motorists, particularly those towing caravans, are being urged to consider how they share roadside rest stops with trucks this holiday season.

New statistics from the NTI show 83 per cent of fatigue-related accidents involving trucks in the lead up to Christmas last year happened between 10pm and 6am despite only one-sixth of the country’s freight being moved during those hours.

It points to over-crowding at rest areas as a major problem in managing fatigue at this time of year.

“Fatigue-related crashes are twice as likely to be fatal and it is critical everyone has a safe place to ‘stop, revive, survive’,” NTI general manager Janelle Greene says.

The insurer calls on motorists to seek out mega roadside rest areas alongside highways across the country that provide separate areas for cars, caravans and trucks as well as providing toilets and undercover seating areas.

Otherwise, those using old-style rest stops can help by parking to one side.

“There are currently 12 mega-sites around Australia with some big enough to fit more than 20 semi-trailers and they’re designed so that the truck’s cabin faces away from headlights on the highway so drivers can get some quality sleep,” Greene says.

2018 Statistics:

  • During the Christmas period of 2018, driver fatigue was linked to 21 crashes
  • 83 per cent of accidents involving trucks happened between 10pm and 6am
  • Cost of accidents added up to more than a million dollars.

mega rest map.JPG


How NTI deepened its relationship with fleet safety firm Seeing Machines, here


NTI has also signed a new partnership with freight marketplace TruckIt.net to launch a direct single transit insurance.

The partnership allows TruckIt.net users an extra layer of confidence when moving their goods by offering the user an option to take out Single Transit Insurance on qualifying jobs booked through the platform.

It marks the insurer’s first foray into the freight marketplace industry.

“TruckIt has spent many years building a solid platform and loyal following from both users and transport providers, and we couldn’t want a more trusted partner as we expand our portfolio of goods in transit offerings,” NTI general manager direct Alan Hasted says.

“We have an opportunity with TruckIt to tap into a largely untapped section of the market: individuals who purchase good through online marketplaces or micro/small businesses shipping to consumers.

“Currently, these groups don’t insure because they don’t know they need to – instead relying on the carrier or a warranty to protect their interests.”

TruckIt.net founder and managing director Robert Russell adds: “Our customers have made it clear they want the additional confidence provided by insurance that covers their materials while on the road.

“We listened and went about finding the best possible partner we could. Our users will now have a seamless, fully-integrated option to insure their goods while in transit.”

 

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