Palaszczuk Government launches plan to improve heavy vehicle safety

The Palaszczuk Government has released its plan to reduce heavy vehicle fatalities on Queensland roads.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey unveiled the Heavy Vehicle Safety Action Plan 2019-21 at the Brisbane Truck Show on Thursday.

“Heavy vehicles play a vital role in driving our economy and connecting essential goods, services and jobs to communities throughout Queensland. Simply put, without trucks Australia stops,” Mr Bailey said.

Developed in consultation with the Queensland Trucking Association, National Heavy Vehicle Regulator and Queensland Police Service, the plan identifies 36 heavy vehicle safety interventions targeting safer roads, vehicles, speeds and people.

“The Palaszczuk Government is delivering more than $1.92 billion in road safety upgrades across Queensland, and our Heavy Vehicle Safety Action Plan focuses on improving infrastructure, encouraging innovation, safe speeds, modifying driver behaviour and create heavy vehicle awareness for all road users.

“Over the next ten years, the volume of freight moving across Queensland will grow more than 20 per cent. That’s why it’s critical that we continue to look at ways to drive road safety for our heavy vehicle industry alongside all road users.

“Crashes involving heavy vehicles can have more serious consequences and while there has been a general decline in fatal crashes involving heavy vehicles in Queensland over the last five years, this declining trend hasn't continued in 2018.

“We refuse to accept road trauma as an inevitable part of using our roads and this plan is our commitment to working with the heavy vehicle industry and communities to reduce the road toll.”

Queensland Trucking Association CEO Gary Mahon said they were pleased to work with the Department on this Action Plan and contribute to priority areas of investment in road infrastructure, in particular in bridges to enable increased access for high productivity vehicles. 

"Delivering freight in a safe and efficient manner is crucial to the road freight, the drivers and the people driving around heavy vehicles on our roads,” Mr Mahon said.

“Improving the quality and number of rest areas for heavy vehicles will contribute to improved safety outcomes with drivers being able to stop have adequate rest.

“In addition, our focus on the increasing uptake of safety technology in the industry is well supported by the Government and we look forward to using the data from our fatigue monitoring technology projects to guide changes to fatigue management and other on regulatory changes that impact the heavy vehicle industry.”

For more information on the plan visit https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/Safety/Road-safety/Strategy-and-action-plans

ENDS

Media Contact: Francis Dela Cruz - 0420 592 078