The current series of tragic truck crashes has to stop. Transport operators need to talk to their people about driver distraction, industry trainer Ian Pendered said today.

Mr Pendered has been in the industry for more than 45 years as a driver, business owner and now trainer.

“We recently have had a series of tragic accidents—and I mean tragic accidents,” Mr Pendered said.

“Take a look at your business. Talk to your people. Make your drivers and schedulers aware of distractions: drivers eating in the cab, drivers drinking in the cab. Thinking about what we are doing.

“We want people to come home safely,” he said.

Australian Trucking Association CEO Ben Maguire said that driver distraction was a growing cause of truck crashes.

He urged businesses to hold toolbox talks in the wake of the accidents, with an emphasis on listening to their staff about how to reduce distractions on the road.

“We have the busiest time of year coming up. Drivers need to be completely focused on their work. I urge trucking businesses to look at what they can do to remove or help drivers minimise as many cab distractions as possible,” Mr Maguire said.

Mr Pendered and Mr Maguire were speaking at the 2017 Australian Trucking Association/Australian Road Transport Suppliers’ Association Technical and Maintenance Conference.

The conference is focused on road safety, vehicle maintenance and driver health, and will wrap up tomorrow, 18 October.

Watch now: Ian Pendered talks driver distraction

The Australian Trucking Association (www.truck.net.au) is the peak body representing the trucking industry. Its members include state and sector trucking associations, major logistics companies and operators and suppliers with leading expertise in truck technology.