Australia’s national heavy vehicle regulator, the NHVR has reminded drivers to take extra care when travelling on Australia’s rural roads, the revelation of alarming new statistics showing an increased risk of fatal crashes outside urban areas.
The NHVR has as a part of Rural Road Safety Month, which is an initiative of the Australian Road Safety Foundation (ARSF), and runs throughout September, was prompted to issue an urgent reminder to all drivers to take additional care and heed safety warnings.
The NHVR said that despite regional areas being vastly less populated than urban centres, fatalities on rural and regional roads account for about two-thirds of the road toll every year, with 811 lives lost in 2023.
NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto said as the nation’s heavy vehicle safety regulator, it was distressing to still see too many deaths on Australian roads each year – including incidents involving trucks and buses.
“Losing a friend, family or loved one in a road accident is always a tragedy, and – particularly in rural and regional communities – can have a devastating and long-lasting impact on local communities,” Petroccitto said.
“We know in our experience at the NHVR that travelling on rural and regional roads comes with unique challenges and risks – speed limits are greater, roads may be unsealed and there can be more environmental challenges such as animals or visual obstructions,” he added.
“It is why we want to use Rural Road Safety Month to implore all road users to ensure they are taking extra caution when getting behind the wheel, including being well-rested and ready to drive,” he said.
The NHVR says that of the 92 lives lost in collisions involving heavy vehicles from January to July this year, 60 were in regional, rural or remote areas. The rate of serious road-related injury in rural areas is also nearly twice as high compared to major cities.
Sal Petroccitto said it was crucial road users remember large heavy vehicles have added blind spots, and take longer to slow down.
“Trucks play an important role in keeping Australia moving, so we want to remind light vehicle drivers what they can do to help keep our roads safe – particularly on those rural highways where they are more likely to encounter large trucks,” Petroccitto said.
“It is important to always maintain a safe following distance, only overtake when it is safe to do so, and give heavy vehicles extra space.
“Sadly, collisions involving a heavy vehicle – because of their size and weight – are much more likely to have devastating outcomes for those involved.
“It is why at the NHVR we are so passionate about playing our part to drive down the road toll and ensure all motorists – including our nation’s truckies – are getting home safe,” The NHVR CEO said.