A new study by the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) revealed that 52 per cent of learner drivers don’t know how to drive safely around large vehicles like trucks and buses.
“From our research, only half of learner drivers have done practical lessons driving alongside trucks, so if we can help spread the message about how to do so safely, we can help save lives,” said NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto.
In response, the NHVR has launched a safety campaign to teach young drivers the risks they face when sharing the road with heavy vehicles.
“Understanding how to drive safely around trucks is one part of ensuring these young people will thrive in life beyond high school,” he said.
“Getting your licence and going on road trips or just driving around for everyday things involves sharing the road with heavy vehicles.”
Interactive Learning to Raise Awareness
The NHVR’s campaign includes an interactive experience at the Gold Coast festival, where young drivers can step inside a semi-trailer and play a road safety video game. This fun approach aims to teach truck safety effectively.
The campaign follows concerns from Transurban’s latest road safety report, which found only three percent of drivers aged 18 and over could identify all five truck blind spots, with awareness dropping by nine percent since 2022.
The Dangers of Sharing the Road with Heavy Vehicles
Sharing the road with heavy vehicles is tricky for learner drivers and even drivers with more experience.
Heavy vehicles are much larger and take longer to stop than smaller cars. This makes it harder for drivers to navigate around them safely.
One of the biggest dangers when sharing the road with heavy vehicles is their blind spots—areas around the vehicle where the driver cannot see other vehicles. For trucks, these include directly in front of the truck, beside the driver’s door, and behind the vehicle. If you can’t see the driver’s mirrors, they likely can’t see you.
For safety, it’s important to stay out of these zones, especially when driving alongside or behind a truck.
Furthermore, trucks and buses, take longer to accelerate and decelerate. Driving too close behind a truck can leave you with little time to react if it suddenly slows down or stops. Maintaining a safe following distance gives you more time to respond to changes in traffic. This is especially important in poor weather conditions like rain, fog, or strong winds. Always keep enough space between you and the vehicle ahead to stay safe.
Driving Safely Around Heavy Vehicles
When driving near heavy vehicles, it’s important to stay aware of the unique risks they present. Here are some key tips to stay safe:
- Stay Out of Blind Spots: Always be aware of a heavy vehicle’s blind spots and avoid driving in these areas. This includes directly in front of the truck, along the side, and behind it. If you can’t see the truck driver’s mirror, the driver likely can’t see you.
- Follow at a Safe Distance: Maintain a safe distance from heavy vehicles, especially in low visibility conditions. This helps ensure you have enough time to react if needed.
This allows you to see what’s ahead and gives you enough time to react if necessary. - Be Cautious When Overtaking: Always overtake heavy vehicles when it’s safe to do so. Make sure the road ahead is clear and use overtaking lanes on highways whenever possible. Avoid overtaking on curves or hills, as you won’t be able to see far enough ahead. When overtaking, be sure to signal, speed up, and complete the manoeuvre quickly without exceeding the speed limit. Once you’ve passed, return to your original speed and maintain it.
- Give Trucks Space When Turning: Heavy vehicles need more room to turn due to their size. If you see a truck with a “Do Not Overtake Turning Vehicle” sign, be aware it may need more than one lane to turn. Stay back and give the truck plenty of space.
Always give trucks extra space at intersections and roundabouts. - Prepare for Road Trains: Road trains, which can be up to 53.5 metres long, are common in certain areas. When approaching a road train, slow down and pull over if needed to let the truck pass safely. Be aware that the wind from a road train can blow debris around. This makes it important to stay cautious when overtaking or passing by. Always ensure there’s enough space to pass safely.
Understanding the unique challenges of sharing the road with heavy vehicles is crucial both new and experienced drivers. By knowing the risks like blind spots and longer stopping distances, drivers can make safer choices on the road.
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