The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) has teamed up with the Collingwood Football Club to support the NHVR's latest campaign It's Black and White: We All Need Space, focused on safety around Oversize Overmass (OSOM) vehicles and "superloads".
The colourful campaign educates drivers on how to safely approach and navigate around OSOM vehicles and superloads by contextualising just how huge these vehicles can be - and the importance of keeping themselves, other motorists and NHVR Safety and Compliance Officers or other officers escorting the vehicles safe.
Superloads weigh up to 700 tonnes - that's more than 580 giraffes - can be as long as the Melbourne Star is high (120m) and as wide as 10 AFL players lined up side by side (5.8m).
OSOM vehicles can be even larger - with some stretching wide as 18m - with NHVR Safety and Compliance Officers charged with safely escorting these vehicles to their destination in Victoria.
NHVR Executive Director Corporate Affairs Michelle Tayler said safety campaigns such as these deliver critical safety messages to light vehicle drivers, and further enhance road safety across the country.
"At the NHVR, we are committed to playing our part in ensuring important safety messages reach as many motorists as possible," Ms Tayler said.
"I'm proud to launch the next iteration of our "We All Need Space" series - this time focused on the critical need to drive cautiously when sharing the road with OSOM vehicles and superloads - and we are thrilled to partner with the Collingwood Football Club in sharing this important message.
"Huge trucks carrying big things keep Australia moving, and with more OSOM vehicles and superloads carrying vital pieces of infrastructure due to hit the roads in the future, it's more important than ever that all drivers know what to do.
"They usually travel at super slow speeds, can stretch across multiple lanes of traffic, and can involve the need to block roads and control traffic lights - so following the instructions of the pilot and escort vehicles is crucial.
"A collision or near miss between a major OSOM load and another vehicle has the potential for catastrophic consequences - a scenario no one wants to see.
"It is up to all of us to slow down, stay patient and follow the instructions from the pilot and escort vehicles accompanying these superloads, to ensure everyone makes it home safely."
Collingwood CEO Craig Kelly said the Club was pleased to support a partnership delivering an important community message.
"The NHVR has an important community message, and we are pleased to be able to support them with their road safety campaign," Mr Kelly said.
"Road safety is not just about preventing accidents, it's about protecting our families, co-workers, friends, and community.
"Education is a key part of road safety, so our collaboration with the NHVR is about raising awareness, informing drivers, and promoting safer driving habits.
"This campaign provides the opportunity for us all to arrive at our destinations safely, and as a Club, we look forward to playing our role in delivering this message."
For campaign videos and more information visit: www.nhvr.gov.au/blackandwhite
