Published Thursday, 09 October, 2008 at 05:30 AM
Minister for Main Roads and Local Government
The Honourable Warren Pitt
Plan to expand network of rest areas for truckies and heavy vehicles
Main Roads Minister Warren Pitt will today announce plans to provide more rest areas for truckies and heavy vehicles.
Mr Pitt said fatigue was a serious road safety issue, and actions to help manage fatigue would also help reduce the road toll.
“Our roads, highways and motorways are the arteries linking our communities, and the trucking industry is a vital component of the lifeblood pumping through those arteries.
“In economic terms, the trucking industry plays a major role in Queensland’s performance and prosperity.
“For these reasons, when the government helps the trucking industry do its job, everyone benefits.
“This includes helping truckies manage fatigue through providing more rest areas for heavy vehicles. It will not only improve safety for truck drivers but for motorists and road users generally.”
Mr Pitt will outline plans to provide an extra 25 heavy vehicle rest areas over the next few years, including a $6 million allocation to get the first 11 of these built.
The State Government is planning to steadily expand the current network of about 200 heavy vehicle rest areas or stopping places so that the longest distance between areas is around 80 kilometres.
Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819
Mr Pitt said fatigue was a serious road safety issue, and actions to help manage fatigue would also help reduce the road toll.
“Our roads, highways and motorways are the arteries linking our communities, and the trucking industry is a vital component of the lifeblood pumping through those arteries.
“In economic terms, the trucking industry plays a major role in Queensland’s performance and prosperity.
“For these reasons, when the government helps the trucking industry do its job, everyone benefits.
“This includes helping truckies manage fatigue through providing more rest areas for heavy vehicles. It will not only improve safety for truck drivers but for motorists and road users generally.”
Mr Pitt will outline plans to provide an extra 25 heavy vehicle rest areas over the next few years, including a $6 million allocation to get the first 11 of these built.
The State Government is planning to steadily expand the current network of about 200 heavy vehicle rest areas or stopping places so that the longest distance between areas is around 80 kilometres.
Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819