A ‘Share The Road Safely’ campaign must be a priority in the Australian Government’s 2017-18 Budget, according to the Australian Trucking Association.
“In its 2015 major accident investigation report, Australia’s leading truck insurer, NTI, concluded that the truck was not at fault in 84 per cent of the fatal multi-vehicle accidents involving trucks that it considered,” said Noelene Watson, ATA Chair.
“There is a critical need for a safety communication campaign to educate motorists to share the road safely, by staying out of truck blind sports, not cutting in front of trucks and not overtaking trucks when they are turning.
“After it abolished the Road Safety Remuneration Tribunal, the Government allocated $3.9 million per year to the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator for truck safety measures that would actually make a difference to safety.
“We say that some of the funding in 2017-18 should be allocated to this ‘Share The Road Safely’ campaign.
“The Government should also allocate an appropriate share of the funding to WA and the NT. The NHVR is not responsible for heavy vehicle regulation in those states.”
Watson added that the 2017-18 Budget was also an opportunity for the Government to build on its commitment to road safety investment.
“The Coalition was re-elected in 2016 with a commitment to maintain funding from 2019-20 onwards for critical road safety investment programs like the Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Program, Roads to Recovery and the Black Spot Program.”