The NHVR has launched a new major road safety awareness campaign titled Don’t #uck With A Truck.
Targeting Learner (L) and Provisional (P) licence holders, the campaign demonstrates how inexperienced drivers can navigate safely around trucks.
It includes rules to follow when trucks are turning, stopping and how to overtake a truck.
“The campaign is intentionally provocative and is designed to grab the target audience’s attention and start important conversations around road safety,” said NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto.
“Getting an L or P plate is a big step in a young person’s life – it is essential they have the information and skills to stay safe around trucks and develop positive long term driving behaviours,” he said.
“Our goal is to prevent situations where a young driver could be in a lane next to a turning truck, or they pull in front of a truck too soon.”
A survey of 500 L and P licence holders aged between 16 – 25 found more than three quarters (78 per cent) of participants were unable to identify the correct stopping distance for a prime mover semi-trailer truck travelling 80 km/h, which is 116 metres.
Less than half (45 per cent) knew to keep one lane either side of a truck free when it is turning.
When it came to how to overtake a truck safely, 30 per cent of respondents didn’t know you should only pull back in front of a truck when you can see its headlights in your rear-view mirror.
Don’t #uck With A Truck will appear online on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, Snapchat, YouTube and across billboards and university O-Week pop-ups.
The campaign is funded by the NHVR’s Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiative, supported by the Federal Government.