The New South Wales Government is reminding motorists to remain aware and safe as they share the road with increased heavy vehicle movements this harvest season.
The return of the summer harvest season, according to the State Government, means increased activity on many rural and regional roads.
A higher number of heavy vehicles, including trucks and farm machinery, will be travelling between farms and grain receival sites.
In order to raise greater awareness of road safety during this harvest season, the Be Truck Aware campaign will be promoted across the region by radio announcements and social media posts.
Variable messaging signs (VMS) will also be promoted along key routes to remind drivers to take extra care behind the wheel, wear their seatbelt and manage fatigue levels.
The Be Truck Aware road safety initiative is supported by Transport for NSW, GrainCorp, the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator and state farming networks.
Transport for NSW Acting Executive Director Partnerships and Integration West, Holly Davies, said harvest was an extremely busy time for rural communities but also a time when safety and patience had to be key priorities for all road users.
“All motorists need to be aware that harvest season brings an increase in large and slow-moving vehicles and farm machinery on our roads, and it is every driver’s responsibility to act safely around them,” she said.
“Because of their size and length, trucks have larger blinds spots than the average car which means the truck driver might not be able to see you.
“For the sake of everyone in your car – and other road users – always exercise extreme caution when driving next to or behind a truck and be patient if you find yourself travelling behind a slow-moving truck or farm machinery.
“Don’t take unnecessary risks to overtake just for the sake of saving a few minutes. The reality is, 85 per cent of fatal crashes on country roads involve a country resident. We all have a part to play in keeping each other safe.”
Farmers and heavy vehicle operators are also being reminded to keep safe during this busy time of their year.
“Harvest is often a time where operators need to work around the weather to meet deadlines to get grain to silos, which can also mean long days operating heavy machinery or driving a truck,” Davies said.
“Managing fatigue during harvest season is critical to the safety of all road users.
“Studies have shown that being awake for 17 hours has a similar effect on your performance and reaction time behind the wheel as a blood alcohol content of 0.05, so we ask all drivers to ensure you are well rested before starting your journey and allow plenty of travel time.”
In other news, work to upgrade two rest areas on the Newell Highway south of Moree, New South Wales, has begun.
