Looking back at 2024 in trucking cartoons

Here’s a look back at the year that was, through the eyes of Big Rigs’ resident cartoonist Ryan Lee-Taylor of Blue Dog Cartoons, who injected some much needed humour as we delved into some of the issues faced by the trucking industry.

These are some of our favourites from 2024.

JANUARY

When long strips of grass appeared on each side of the Warrego Highway at Hatton Vale, it left truckie’s advocate Wes Walker stumped. “I have no idea why they think this is a good idea but it’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever seen in my life,” he said.

FEBRUARY

The mystery of how a height-compliant truck could somehow set off the sensors on the Sydney Harbour Tunnel was solved after reviewing the CCTV footage. It just so happened to be a pigeon flying over the sensors at the exact same time as the 3.9m Western Star, that the triggered the alarm.

MARCH

Three veteran truck drivers shared their stories about the tests they had to undertake to keep their truck licences, including an 86-year-old truckie who was asked to do 20 push-ups!

APRIL

Two NSW rest areas have received a combined $850,000 in upgrades, including flushable toilets, but many readers were surprised by the eye-watering cost.

MAY

With licensing pathways well and truly in the spotlight, Big Rigs spoke to numerous people in the industry about their views on the issue. “The real concern from drivers is that it’s just becoming far too high risk,” said WRF CEO Cam Dumesny; while Ron Finemore said fleet owners needed to step up to help address the serious truck driver shortage.

JUNE

The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) announced the details of increases to the cost of access permits, accreditations and work diaries, along with hikes in fines for heavy vehicle drivers and operators, which came into effect on July 1, 2024. 

JULY

When WA announced it would transition to new road train signage, it received a lot of backlash, with one operator telling Big Rigs that “the WA industry was blindsided” by the move. Thankfully the state backflipped on the unpopular decision, albeit less than two months before the mandate was due to kick in.

AUGUST

An incredible effort from Sam Hughes – aka the Travelling Jackaroo – who at just 21 years of age has travelled 26,000km around the entire country to raise a huge amount of money for his three chosen charities.

SEPTEMBER

When then Queensland state premier Steven Miles decided to fly a taxpayer-funded private jet 11 minutes from Hervey Bay to Bundaberg to deliver a birthday cake to the local MP, it was met with plenty of criticism.

OCTOBER

A truck driver shared a picture with Big Rigs of NHVR compliance officers allegedly checking logbooks at BP Eastern Creek in Sydney. “Obviously they have a job to do but to do stuff like that or hiding away in a rest area waiting for someone to have their break is not right,” he said.

NOVEMBER

Sal Petroccitto announced his resignation as CEO of the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) after more than 10 years in one of the industry’s top jobs, finishing up on January 24, 2025.

DECEMBER

The Toowoomba Regional Council recently fined Neil Mansell Concrete for parking in a homeowner’s driveway while pouring concrete at the same quiet suburban address. “The truck wasn’t stopped. He was discharging the concrete at the time – it’s bewildering in all honesty.”