As all road users know, truck crashes are extremely inconvenient and frustrating as they often bring the country’s biggest and busiest highways to a standstill. Especially during peak hour traffic, we all dread the event of truck crashes, adding hours to our travel time. One such incident occurred on the Hume Highway last week, when a truckie hit into a tree causing the closure of most lanes of the highway. The driver most probably lost control of the vehicle, causing it to cross the centre of the road and collide with a tree. The vehicle then crashed into a bridge in an attempt to steer away from the tree. The driver suffered minor head injuries, but thankfully no other people were involved in the crash, other than those that were held up for hours as the traffic had to be diverted. Fullyloaded.com.au reported on the Wangaratta incident: Hume closed after truckie hits a tree A truck driver has been taken to hospital and part of the Hume Highway is reduced to one lane after a crash today. Victoria Police believe the driver was travelling south on the highway near Wangaratta just after 6.30am when he crossed the centre median strip and hit a tree. The truck then steered off the road into a creek, hitting a bridge. The man was taken to hospital with minor head injuries. The highway is closed south-bound from the Bowser interchange and traffic diversions have been put in place. Source: https://www.fullyloaded.com.au/industry-news/1208/hume-closed-after-truckie-hits-a-tree Although the crash did cause a lot of damage that will run into the thousands, the incident was fairly minor in comparison to the one that occurred on The Bruce Highway near Mackay. Those travelling on the Bruce Highway also had to endure traffic delays as the highway was closed in both directions. This however was not the biggest issue, the real tragedy was the four people who lost their lives in the incident. Apparently a vehicle collided with a truck causing the deaths of 4 road users and injuring one more. Police are still investigating the cause of the accident. This post on Fullyloaded.com.au has more: Bruce Highway closed in both directions near Mackay Four people have died and a section of the Bruce Highway in north Queensland has been closed after a collision early today. Queensland Police says early information suggests a vehicle and a truck collided about 10km north of Calen, near Mackay. Four people died at the scene, while a fifth person has been taken to hospital with critical injuries. Police have closed the highway in both directions and it is expected to remain closed “for several hours”. “No alternative route to avoid the section of road is available. Police have set up roadblocks at Calen and at Bloomsbury to the north to stop traffic,” a statement from Queensland Police says. “Drivers are being advised they can wait at these locations or return to either Mackay or Proserpine where more services and amenities are available.” Motorists are being asked to avoid the area if possible, and Queensland Police says more information will be provided as it comes to hand. Source: https://www.fullyloaded.com.au/industry-news/1208/hume-closed-after-truckie-hits-a-tree As these 2 incidents demonstrate, truck crashes have far reaching consequences. Four families have been affected as their loved ones will not return home and their lives will never be the same. Not only do truck accidents affect the driver and truck operator as well as the client who suffer loss of income and for the driver often injury as well. But these incidents have an effect on the economy. Truck crashes also have an adverse effect on other road users as these incidents demonstrate. When highways are closed, people are not only inconvenienced but also suffer expense and frustration.  That is why the police have sworn their commitment to combatting road safety breaches, especially in the transport industry. While the majority of drivers are doing the right thing, a small handful continue to break the law and society suffers. The biggest issues in the trucking industry remain speeding, speed limiter tampering, truck maintenance and drink and drug driving. If operators and truck drivers work together with consigners and customers, perhaps better safety can be achieved, and the senseless loss of lives can be avoided.