The Australian Trucking Association (ATA) is urging all road users to slow down and manage fatigue by taking regular rest breaks when travelling during the festive holidays.

“The Christmas period is one of the busiest times of year for many trucking businesses, and it’s also one of the busiest times on the road. With heavier traffic, long traffic queues and different festive events to get to, it is very important to plan to ensure your driver schedules have allowed for time to account for the increased traffic volumes on the road,” Chair of the ATA, Mrs Noelene Watson, said.

“Fatigue management is essential, with big meals, long days and late nights making it easy to feel sleepy behind the wheel. Keep to the speed limit and pull up when tired. Share the drive with another qualified driver, and avoid driving if you don’t feel up to being able to give 100% concentration to it.”

Mrs Watson asked trucking operators and drivers to be mindful of holiday road users. Travelling safe, and arriving safe should be the most important consideration this season.

“There may be many people driving on roads unfamiliar to them or towing a boat or caravan for the first time. It is particularly important to watch out for other motorists and leave adequate space between you and the vehicle in front.”

“The roads are always busy at this time of year - be patient, stay well back and share the road safely.”

To raise awareness and remind all road users of safety these holidays, the ATA has developed a short animated video of their Safety Truck that will be played on TV stations around Australia over the coming weeks.

The video recommends a few simple tips for motorists to help make everyone’s holiday safer:

• Stay out of heavy vehicle blind spots. If you sit in the blind spots immediately behind a truck or close to the left passenger door, the driver may not know you are there. Remember if you cannot see the truck’s side mirror’s whilst behind the truck, you’re too close and the truck driver cannot see you! Cutting in front of a truck can also put you in the forward blind spot.

• Don’t cut in front of trucks as they slow for traffic lights or when you’re out on the highway. A truck needs a greater distance to stop than you expect, because they are much heavier than cars.

• Don’t overtake trucks when they are turning. Trucks often need to turn from the centre lane at intersections and corners, so stay well back.

Road users can watch the animated road safety video and download the full list of truckie’s top tips at www.safetytruck.com.au.

Media contact:                                  Donna Jeremiah/Anne Nguyen                                  02 6253 6900