The ATA in partnership with NSW Police have today joined drivers at BP Eastern Creek for Coffee with a Cop.

Coffee with a Cop is an initiative to help truck drivers and other road users ask questions, clarify issues and address concerns directly with police officers in a positive and informal way.

ATA CEO Ben Maguire said it is important for road users and police officers to understand each other.

“Events like Coffee with a Cop are a great chance for police officers to meet with our truck drivers and recognise the contribution they make on our roads.

“It’s important for road users to share their side of the story with police and vice-versa,” he said.

Chief Inspector Phillip Brooks from NSW Police spoke to truck drivers over a free coffee about staying safe on the roads, while acknowledging the hard work undertaken in doing their job.

“After our initial launch at BP Marulan, it was great for us to catch up with drivers, operators, and those companies that operate in and around Eastern Creek, which services the bulk of the NSW Freight Network,” Assistant Commissioner Michael Corboy of the NSW Police, Traffic & Highway Patrol Command said.

“We know our heavy vehicle drivers are at the forefront on our roads, often calling Emergency Services to crashes, delivering first aid to victims at the roadside, managing traffic around scenes, and providing valuable evidence in road safety incidents.

“This is a great way to say thank you for their service, over a Coffee with a Cop,” he said.

The event today was kindly hosted by the BP team with all drivers and travellers provided with a complimentary coffee. BP continues to invest in state of the art truckstop facilities that provide truck drivers a place to stop, rest, refresh and have a healthy meal before they continue on a safe journey, and BP Eastern Creek is a clear example of this.