Crash report a warning for school holiday road users

Australians hitting the road for the first school holidays since travel restrictions eased are being urged to take extra caution behind the wheel, with many of us planning our first long drive in months.

NTI’s National Truck Accident Research Centre has for the first time analysed the way fatal crashes involving a car and truck occur, after it found in 80 per cent of these collisions, the car driver was at fault.

NTI CEO Tony Clark said they hoped the knowledge would help protect both car and truck drivers as we head into the busy school holiday period.

“Almost half of fatal crashes involving a car and truck (48%) were head on collisions from opposite directions,” Mr Clark said.

“Close to a third (29%) were T-bone crashes and 11% involved vehicles travelling in the same direction.”

Mr Clark said it was important all drivers share the road effectively.

“We’re asking all road users heading away for the school holidays to take their time, schedule in plenty of rest breaks and remember, if you’re feeling tired, the only cure for fatigue is sleep,” he said.

“We also all need to ensure we’re sticking to the speed limit, avoiding distractions, wearing seat belts and of course, never driving under the influence.

“Car drivers also need to make sure they’re giving trucks plenty of time and space. Trucks take longer to break and slow down so risky manoeuvres like pulling out in front of a heavy vehicle can be dangerous.”

Mr Clark said the road is a truck driver’s workplace.

“Truck drivers are incredibly skilled professionals,” he said.

“They are on the road day in and day out to ensure all Australians have what we need, particularly in the lead up to a high-demand time like the school holidays. We want our truckies, and all road users to come home safely, every single time they get behind the wheel.”

The full report can be found here.