Regardless of regional areas being vastly much less populated than city centres, fatalities on rural and regional roads account for about two-thirds of the highway toll yearly, with 811 lives misplaced in 2023.
NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto OAM stated because the nation’s heavy automobile security regulator, it was distressing to nonetheless see too many deaths on Australian roads every year – together with incidents involving vans and buses.
“Dropping a buddy, household or liked one in a highway accident is all the time a tragedy, and – notably in rural and regional communities – can have a devastating and long-lasting affect on native communities,” Mr Petroccitto stated.
“We all know in our expertise on the NHVR that travelling on rural and regional roads comes with distinctive challenges and dangers – velocity limits are higher, roads could also be unsealed and there will be extra environmental challenges resembling animals or visible obstructions.
“It’s why we wish to use Rural Street Security Month to implore all highway customers to make sure they’re taking additional warning when getting behind the wheel, together with being well-rested and able to drive.”
Of the 92 lives misplaced in collisions involving heavy automobiles from January to July this yr, 60 had been in regional, rural or distant areas.
The speed of significant road-related damage in rural areas can be practically twice as excessive in comparison with main cities.
Mr Petroccitto stated it was essential highway customers bear in mind massive heavy automobiles have added blind spots, and take longer to decelerate.
“Vehicles play an vital position in holding Australia shifting, so we wish to remind gentle automobile drivers what they’ll do to assist maintain our roads protected – notably on these rural highways the place they’re extra more likely to encounter massive vans,” Mr Petroccitto stated.
“You will need to all the time keep a protected following distance, solely overtake when it’s protected to take action, and provides heavy automobiles additional area.
“Sadly, collisions involving a heavy automobile – due to their dimension and weight – are more likely to have devastating outcomes for these concerned.
“It’s why on the NHVR we’re so obsessed with enjoying our half to drive down the highway toll and guarantee all motorists – together with our nation’s truckies – are getting house protected.”
Supply: Nationwide Heavy Car Regulator. Extra info on Rural Road Safety Month from the ARSF is obtainable.
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