The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) has launched a new major road safety awareness campaign titled Don’t #uck With A Truck, targeting Learner (L) and Provisional (P) licence holders.
NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto said the campaign demonstrates how L and P licence holders can drive safely around trucks, including rules to follow when trucks are turning, stopping and how to overtake a truck.
Don’t #uck With A Truck will appear online on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, Snapchat and YouTube, across billboards, and at university student orientation events.
The $250,000 campaign is part of the NHVRs’ Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiative, which is supported by the federal government.
“The campaign is intentionally provocative and is designed to grab the target audience’s attention and start important conversations around road safety,” said NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto.
“Getting an L or P plate is a big step in a young person’s life – it is essential they have the information and skills to stay safe around trucks and develop positive long term driving behaviours.
“Our goal is to prevent situations where a young driver could be in a lane next to a turning truck, or they pull in front of a truck too soon.”
A survey of 500 L and P licence holders aged between 16-25 found more than three quarters (78 per cent) of participants were unable to identify the correct stopping distance for a prime mover semi-trailer truck travelling 80km/h, which is 116m.
Less than half (45 per cent) knew to keep one lane either side of a truck free when it is turning.
When it came to how to overtake a truck safely, 30 per cent of respondents didn’t know you should only pull back in front of a truck when you can see its headlights in your rear-view mirror.
For more information visit nhvr.gov.au/dontmuckwithatruck.com.au.