Motorist and ‘truckie’ safety the focus of new QLD program

The Queensland Government has launched ‘A Truckie Knows’, a program developed to highlight the importance of safety for truck drivers and their role in upholding road safety.

This comes as the 2024 National Truck Accident Research Centre report reveals the number of crashes involving heavy vehicles has increased by 27 per cent since 2020. Last year also saw the State record its highest number of road fatalities in 15 years, with 303 lives lost.

The program, ‘A truckie knows we all need space’, highlights the skills and knowledge of truck drivers and how this can be used to maximise safety for all road users. The campaign emphasises the need for active participation from both commercial and heavy vehicle users, outlining that ‘respect is a two-way street’, while also discouraging speeding.

Minister for Transport and Main Roads Brent Mickelberg said the Queensland Government is committed to ensuring safety is a priority for all drivers.

“From the Gulf to the border, truckies undertake one of our most demanding and important jobs – delivering our State’s goods safely, securely, and on time, while playing a key role in keeping our highways safe,” Mickelberg said.

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“One of the most important elements of road safety is giving every vehicle the space it needs. As the campaign calls out, we can all influence how we interact with other road users.”

National Heavy Vehicle Regulator Executive Director Michelle Tayler said as part of a ‘A Truckie Knows’ campaign the regulator was reminding all road users about the importance of respect for other drivers as well as the risk of speed and tailgating.

“When you’re covering hundreds of thousands of kilometres of road, you learn important lessons like respect being a two-way street, leaving space for other drivers to make mistakes and that speeding doesn’t get you there faster,” Tyler said.

“’A Truckie Knows’ is about highlighting our truck drivers and the critical job they do and asking them to share this wisdom with their peers.”

This comes as the Queensland Government restores its 80:20 funding agreement with the Federal Government, as well as securing a $9 billion package for safety upgrades for the Bruce Highway as part of that deal.

The Bruce Highway Advisory Council has also been re-established to guide the development of these works. The council will next congregate on March 19.

Minister Mickelberg is the chair of the committee, which includes representatives from peak industry bodies, senior government officials and locals.