The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) is calling on all road users to look out for one another and take extra care on remote and regional roads this September for Rural Road Safety Month, an initiative of the Australian Road Safety Foundation, 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."
The NHVR runs ongoing safety campaigns to educate drivers on how to safely drive around trucks; whether you're a seasoned driver or just starting with your learner or provisional license.
The NHVR's Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiative (HVSI) funds crucial projects that deliver real safety improvements across Australia's heavy vehicle industry and help protect all road users.
This includes St John Ambulance's Defibs in Trucks Program, which will equip 50 heavy vehicles with new, high quality Automated External Defibrillators (AED's) and provide First Aid training to drivers to reduce deaths nationally including in regional, rural, and remote communities.
Mr Salvati said the initiative is a great example of how the HVSI program is making a difference on our roads to increase truck drivers' knowledge and confidence in providing bystander first aid.
"Truck drivers are often the first responders to incidents in rural areas, so this fantastic initiative will assist in reducing roadside deaths." he said.
This project is one of many HVSI investments delivering practical, value-for-money solutions that make Australia's roads safer for all road users.
