Road Freight NSW has issued a plea to all motorists hitting the roads over the Christmas break and has urged everyone getting behind the wheel to ‘drive to survive’.
The plea comes after four truck crashes north of Sydney last week, with RFNSW CEO Simon O’Hara urging light vehicle drivers to remain aware and alert to trucks around them on the road.
“As people start to get ready to head away for the holiday break, drive to busy shopping centres or go out to social events with friends and family, traffic will be heavy this pre-Christmas weekend,” O’Hara says.
“Due to their size and length trucks have four main blind spots. Motorists need to be alert when driving behind, or alongside a truck. A truck must be able to see you. Trucks aren’t as agile as cars and can’t stop as quickly, so light vehicles and motorcycles have to avoid merging in front of trucks without giving them adequate time to brake and pedestrians should never step-out to cross the road in front of truck unexpectedly.
“Truckies will be working hard all through the Christmas break, supplying everything people need from the supermarket and department store shelves. Everything under your Christmas tree and on your plate for Christmas lunch has been delivered by the trucking industry. Our RFNSW members are professional drivers, who work on the roads every day, they drive similar routes daily or weekly, they know what they’re doing. Safety is their core business.
“We’re asking light vehicle drivers and motorcyclists to keep an eye out for truckies and make their job a little easier by driving more cautiously on the roads. We all have a shared responsibility and duty of care to ensure people reach their destination and get back home safely this Christmas holiday break.”
The holiday period often sees a dramatic increase in cars on the road – especially in regional areas, however the continued threat of rail strikes in Sydney could see even more vehicles added to an already congested network.
The potential industrial action could come after a Federal Court ruling in favour of the Rail, Tram and Bus Union, with only a limited number of replacement buses expected.
NSW Transport Minister Jo Haylen recently said the government and union were “a long way apart” in negotiations.
“The threat of further industrial action on the Sydney rail network, could see even more cars on the road over the holiday break, which is why we’re urging light vehicle drivers and motorcyclists to be vigilant and take extra safety precautions when sharing the road with trucks these holidays – you must be truck aware,” O’Hara says.
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