The Australian Trucking Association (ATA) has welcomed the Federal Coalition’s commitment to continue building truck rest areas under the Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Program if it is elected on 7 September.

In their road safety policy announcement today, the Leader of The Nationals, Warren Truss, and the Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Roads and Regional Transport, Darren Chester, said the Coalition would, if elected, spend $2.2 billion over five years to continue the Roads to Recovery, Black Spot and Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity programs.

The Chief Executive of the ATA, Stuart St Clair, said the decision would help truck drivers manage their fatigue and improve road safety.

“Truck drivers are required by law to take regular rest breaks, but there are not enough safe places for them to stop and rest,” Mr St Clair said.

“In 2008, a review of truck rest areas found that none of Australia’s major highways fully met the national guidelines, which require a major rest area every 100 kilometres, a minor rest area every 50 kilometres, and a small truck parking bay every 30 kilometres.

“The Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Program was established that same year, and has funded the construction or upgrade of hundreds of rest areas.

“The Coalition has made a very good decision to continue the program if it wins office. The rest areas it is funding are helping truck drivers every day. Continuing the program will undoubtedly help prevent accidents caused by fatigue,” Mr St Clair said.