We’ve been hearing about too many deadly crashes involving trucks recently and in New South Wales in particular people have been scrambling to find ways to address this road safety issue.

Although fatal truck crashes have declined over the past decade, the recent spike is alarming which is why combining information from everyone involved would be the best solution.

A recent article on Abc.net.au asked 3 industry stakeholders about what they thought was the best way to address this issue and here’s what they said,

1. A truck driver with 4 decades of experience.

Rod Hannifey, a seasoned truckie has logged around 6 million kilometres all around the nation. He cited a number of near misses experienced over his many years on the road and in particular one incident when a driver pulled out in front of him. He went on to state,

“I’ll never know till the day I die how I didn’t run into him and didn’t tip the truck over,” he told 7.30.

“It would have killed him and his wife. With 55,000 litres of petrol on [board], I don’t like to think what would have happened.”

Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-02-05/what-can-be-done-to-reduce-deadly-truck-crashes/9397522

According to Mr Hannifey, we can reduce the number of truck crashes by educating other drivers about trucks and how to be more aware of them.

“People need to look around them at the trucks and recognise the vast majority of us do it properly,” Mr Hannifey said.

“We travel billions of kilometres a year delivering millions of tons of freight safely. We are not perfect, we make mistakes, we don’t intend to do that.

“But we need to teach people to share the road with trucks.”

Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-02-05/what-can-be-done-to-reduce-deadly-truck-crashes/9397522

Authorities say most accidents where trucks are involved are caused by the other driver. In fact Roger Weeks from the NSW Roads and Maritime Services said in the majority of accidents involving trucks the other driver is at fault.

Mr Hannifey also cited poor quality highways and a lack of rest areas which he says contributes to fatigue.

2. The Industry Leader, Managing Director of The Toll Group, Michael Byrne

He has called for urgent harmonisation of heavy vehicle laws. He believes the inconsistencies in various states with regards to speed limits, fatigue laws and blood alcohol levels was forcing drivers to spend too long behind the wheel.

Mr Byrne wants the Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull to call for consistent road rules in all states and territories. He also wants a debate about whether the standard driving hours in other states, which is 12 hours for most drivers, is safe.

3. Industry Expert, Professor Ann Williamson

The professor believes that truck drivers are driving too long for too little pay. If truck drivers were better paid, they could spend less time on the road.

“Any company, any driver who’s working to those hours will be tired and will be at higher risk on the road,” she said.

“The evidence is really quite strong that there is a link between how you pay people and how they behave in the workplace,”

“It probably will mean that freight is going to cost us a little bit more, but I think it’s wrong that the transport industry, and long-distance truck drivers in particular are really bearing the brunt.” she said.

See more at http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-02-05/what-can-be-done-to-reduce-deadly-truck-crashes/9397522