Sunshine Coast’s first “bump truck” makes roadworks safer
Published Thursday, 23 October, 2008 at 12:41 PM
Minister for Main Roads and Local Government
The Honourable Warren Pitt
A new Main Roads “bump truck” has rolled onto Sunshine Coast roads to increase the visibility of roadwork sites and help improve the safety of workers.
Introduced to Queensland roads in the late 1990s, bump trucks are highly visible roadwork trucks with a specially designed attenuator mounted to the rear, which acts like a spring cushion to reduce the impact of rear-end collisions.
Main Roads Minister Warren Pitt said the introduction of a bump truck to the Sunshine Coast was a positive move towards ensuring the safety of workers and motorists.
“Bump trucks are a fantastic safety device used at roadwork sites to help prevent vehicles from entering the lane where roadworkers are working,” Mr Pitt said.
“With a flashing-arrow board on top of the truck, together with flashing amber lights on the tray and rear attenuator, these vehicles are clearly visible to oncoming motorists.”
Mr Pitt said the trucks had proved successful in reducing the number of incidents where vehicles have driven into a roadwork site.
“Bump trucks are commonly used at night on high-speed roads and positioned in a lane at the beginning of a work site to clearly indicate the lane closure ahead.
“The large rear attenuator is then lowered to reduce the impact of any vehicle colliding with it while preventing the road crew ahead from being run over.
“Bump truck drivers have been specially trained to look out for vehicles too close to roadwork sites and will sound a loud horn to warn workers if a vehicle enters the work area.”
Mr Pitt said night works had become a routine activity to help reduce traffic congestion for motorists while providing a safer working environment for roadworkers due to lower traffic volumes.
“However, working at night can expose our crews to safety risks associated with poor visibility for both workers and motorists. For this reason, the bump trucks were introduced."
Mr Pitt reminded motorists to keep an eye out for crews working on the roads when travelling the Sunshine Coast’s busy roads.
"We ask that all road users follow any directions given by traffic controllers and keep well away from bump trucks for your safety and the safety of roadworkers," he said.
"Bump trucks certainly help us keep road construction sites safe, but we still rely on motorists to remain alert at all times and drive to the conditions."
Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819. Picture available on request.
Introduced to Queensland roads in the late 1990s, bump trucks are highly visible roadwork trucks with a specially designed attenuator mounted to the rear, which acts like a spring cushion to reduce the impact of rear-end collisions.
Main Roads Minister Warren Pitt said the introduction of a bump truck to the Sunshine Coast was a positive move towards ensuring the safety of workers and motorists.
“Bump trucks are a fantastic safety device used at roadwork sites to help prevent vehicles from entering the lane where roadworkers are working,” Mr Pitt said.
“With a flashing-arrow board on top of the truck, together with flashing amber lights on the tray and rear attenuator, these vehicles are clearly visible to oncoming motorists.”
Mr Pitt said the trucks had proved successful in reducing the number of incidents where vehicles have driven into a roadwork site.
“Bump trucks are commonly used at night on high-speed roads and positioned in a lane at the beginning of a work site to clearly indicate the lane closure ahead.
“The large rear attenuator is then lowered to reduce the impact of any vehicle colliding with it while preventing the road crew ahead from being run over.
“Bump truck drivers have been specially trained to look out for vehicles too close to roadwork sites and will sound a loud horn to warn workers if a vehicle enters the work area.”
Mr Pitt said night works had become a routine activity to help reduce traffic congestion for motorists while providing a safer working environment for roadworkers due to lower traffic volumes.
“However, working at night can expose our crews to safety risks associated with poor visibility for both workers and motorists. For this reason, the bump trucks were introduced."
Mr Pitt reminded motorists to keep an eye out for crews working on the roads when travelling the Sunshine Coast’s busy roads.
"We ask that all road users follow any directions given by traffic controllers and keep well away from bump trucks for your safety and the safety of roadworkers," he said.
"Bump trucks certainly help us keep road construction sites safe, but we still rely on motorists to remain alert at all times and drive to the conditions."
Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819. Picture available on request.