An initiative to support heavy vehicle drivers with free health checks has commenced today in Brisbane.
Driving Better Health Convoy aims to make it easier for drivers to get a checkup without having to worry about an out of hours appointment.
The first stage of the free health checks, which take around 20 minutes, begins at Followmont Transport in Eagle Farm before moving up the Bruce Highway to another five locations including Townsville where it finishes on Friday at Brown and Hurley.
The mobile medical clinic, a customised and purpose-built Isuzu F-Series FSD260 known as the HEART 3, is part of Taking the Heart of Australia health assessment service.
Followmont Transport were the first business to jump on board the project.
“We are really focused on looking after the health of drivers and having access to these free health checks is a great way for drivers to find out ways they can improve their lifestyle to increase their health and wellbeing. We have encouraged them to do it for themselves and their families,” said Ben Tobin, General Manager Linehaul.
The Driving Better Health Project is being delivered by the Queensland Trucking Association and funded by the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator’s Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiative, with support from the Federal Government.
“The barrier to many truck driver getting those important health checks is availability and accessibility so we are taking the service to them on the road with our Driving Better Health Project,” said QTA CEO Gary Mahon.
“It’s all about looking after the health of our drivers and promoting the small things they can do to do create long term healthy habits to keep fit and well. The free mobile health checks will support our drivers who are out on our roads day and night providing an essential service to keep our cities and communities functioning.”
NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto said the funding was part of $5.5 million in safety grants being distributed across the country in 2020-21 to improve heavy vehicle safety.
“We know there is a correlation between an increased risk of vehicle incidents and driver health and wellbeing,” Petroccitto said.
“Heavy vehicle safety is everyone’s responsibility and through local safety programs and the efforts of organisations like the QTA we can make our roads safer for all road users,” he said.
(Image: NHVR Director Safety Assurance Greg Fill, CEO of Followmont Transport Mark Tobin and QTA CEO Gary Mahon).