New heavy vehicle rest stops to combat driver fatigue

The first two of 11 new heavy vehicle rest areas have been announced as part of a $6 million Bligh Government commitment to construct the rest areas during the next two years.

Main Roads Minister Warren Pitt said one rest stop would be located on the Castlereagh Highway between Dirranbandi and St George and the other on the Gulf Developmental Road between Georgetown and Croydon.

“The Bligh Government is investing billions of dollars on building and upgrading Queensland roads but amid the bridges and bypasses, road user safety still remains our number one priority,” Mr Pitt said.

“During the past 18 months, Main Roads has been consulting closely with the trucking industry to better understand the needs of truckies and to develop a strategy for rolling out new rest areas.

“The Bligh Government has also committed an extra $5 million from red light and speed camera revenue that will be specifically dedicated to developing heavy vehicle rest areas during 2009-10.”

Mr Pitt said heavy vehicle driver fatigue was one of the key contributors to accidents involving heavy vehicles in Queensland.

“From 2000 to 2007, about 16 per cent of all heavy vehicle crashes occurring in Queensland were fatigue-related,” he said.

“The recent introduction of stronger heavy vehicle driver fatigue management regulations has highlighted the need for strategically placed heavy vehicle rest areas.”

Mr Pitt said the Bligh Government was committed to helping truck drivers manage fatigue and improving the safety of Queensland's roads.

“Two weeks ago, I convened a roundtable with the heads of the trucking industry in Queensland and the Transport Workers Union,’ he said.

“I was very encouraged by the collaborative spirit demonstrated at this meeting and industry’s strong level of support for government's moves to build new rest areas.”

Mr Pitt said the Federal Government had also committed to fund five new rest sites on the Warrego Highway and 10 new sites on the Bruce Highway from 2009-10 to 2013-14, complementing the extra state-funded rest areas.

Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819