The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) is pledging its support for this year's Fatality Free Friday - an initiative shining the spotlight on road safety with the aim of a day without a single fatality on Australian roads.
With 1,300 people tragically losing their lives in road accidents in 2024 - the deadliest year since 2012 - the Australian Road Safety Foundation's reminder for all road users to take extra care is a critical one.
With 51 deaths resulting from a crash involving heavy vehicles in the first four months of this year, NHVR Chief Operations Officer Paul Salvati said it was imperative motorists, industry, and the wider community were united in driving down road fatalities.
"We all have a role to play when it comes to ensuring our roads are safe," Mr Salvati said.
"While progress has been made in improving road safety, the national road toll remains a sobering reminder that there is still more work to be done.
"It is why at the NHVR we want to shine a spotlight on Fatality Free Friday and implore all road users to ensure they are taking extra caution when getting behind the wheel, including always being well-rested and ready to drive."
Heavy vehicles are an essential part of Australia's economy including transporting vital goods across the country every day, but their size and weight also mean the consequences of a crash involving a heavy vehicle can be devastating.
"For heavy vehicle drivers, the road is their workplace - and just like in any workplace, our country's heavy vehicle drivers deserve a safe place to work and to be able to go home safely to their families at the end of their shift," Mr Salvati said.
"Driving alongside heavy vehicles - whether that be a truck carrying a huge load or a bus full of passengers - requires patience and extra care.
"It is important to always maintain a safe following distance when travelling behind a heavy vehicle, only overtake when it is safe to do so, and give them plenty of extra space particularly when they are turning."
On Thursday 29 May the NHVR will join the Queensland Police Service and the Department of Transport and Main Roads at the Brown Plains Grand Plaza Shopping Centre, to promote road safety messages in support of Fatality Free Friday.
The NHVR team will be speaking to the community about road safety in an interactive space which will also feature a driving simulator, motorcycles and kids' activities.
