Share the road and the responsibility this Rural Road Safety Month

This Rural Road Safety Month, the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator  is calling on all road users to look out for one another and take extra care on remote and regional roads, after 205 lives were lost from crashes involving heavy vehicles last financial year.

NHVR Chief Operations Officer Paul Salvati said it was alarming that almost 60% of those fatalities occurred in rural or remote areas.

“When travelling through rural or remote roads in Australia, there’s unique challenges and risks involved compared to travelling in suburban areas,” Mr Salvati said.

“You’re more likely to encounter larger trucks which require longer distances to stop safely and have multiple blind spots, meaning the driver may not know you’re there.

Mr Salvati reminded motorists that trucks are vital to keeping Australia moving — and that everyone, has a crucial role to play in keeping our roads safe.

“That means giving trucks extra space, only overtaking when it’s safe, and always keeping a safe following distance,” he said.

“Losing loved ones in a road accident is a tragedy, so we want to remind all drivers to take extra caution when getting behind the wheel.

“Every road user can reduce the risk – slow down, stay alert, be patient around heavy vehicles and never risk taking a chance with it comes to safety.”