The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) issues an important warning to young drivers as concerning statistics reveal critical knowledge gaps when it comes to teens driving alongside trucks.
With the April school holidays approaching and more young drivers expected to hit the road over the coming weeks, the NHVR is issuing critical safety reminders regarding navigating a truck's blind spots, not passing turning trucks, and leaving enough space when overtaking.
In an effort to spread these crucial safety messages, the NHVR will this week hold an interactive activation at Westfield's Chermside shopping centre, where drivers can test their road and truck knowledge via a specially created video arcade game.
It follows the launch of the NHVR's highly successful Being Dead is Boring campaign - which has reached more than 15 million online impressions by putting a road safety spin on some of the most popular TikTok trends to get young people thinking about truck safety.
NHVR Executive Director Corporate Affairs Michelle Tayler said the NHVR was focused on grabbing the attention of young light vehicle drivers and starting important conversations on road safety.
"Alarmingly, we see young drivers are vastly overrepresented when it comes to crashes involving heavy vehicles - a scenario no one wants to see," Ms Tayler said.
"It's why the NHVR is constantly exploring new ways of engaging with young drivers - evident through the launch of our highly successful Being Dead is Boring campaign."
The NHVR surveyed 1167 young drivers over the past six months and found almost half reported they had not had any instructions on how to drive safely around trucks by their parents, guardians or driving instructors.
Just 39 per cent of young people surveyed recalled having a question about driving trucks on their learner test, and 31 per cent didn't know you should keep one lane free either side of a truck when it is turning.
"Our goal is to prevent situations where an inexperienced driver could be in a lane next to a turning truck, they pull in front of a truck too soon or they linger in a truck's blind spot," Ms Tayler said.
"With the very busy April school holiday and Easter period approaching, we want to urgently remind all drivers to ensure they understand how to safely navigate around heavy vehicles - it could save your life."
NHVR survey statistics:
The NHVR surveyed 1167 young drivers over the last six months and found:
- Only 39% had a question about driving around trucks in their learner test
- 51% had done practical driving lessons with a parent, guardian or instructor where they were taught how to drive alongside trucks
- 31% did not know they should keep one lane free either side of a truck when it's turning
The NHVR Being Dead is Boring activation will be held at Westfield Chermside from April 3 - April 6.
