ONE of Australia's largest freight and logistics companies which
operates over 1500 vehicles nationwide has launched a new campaign to
educate caravanners about road trains.
The move comes as thousands of southerners hitch up their caravans for
their annual sojourn to the northern states in search of winter sunshine.
WA-based Centurion said a recent company survey revealed that more than 80
percent of drivers had witnessed or experienced a close call between a
road train and caravan in the past two years,
Twenty percent said they had experienced more than two.
The company is now distributing 2500 free guides to regional service
stations and caravan parks to help educate caravanners about safe driving
near heavy vehicles.
It said feedback from its drivers indicated that many motorists and
caravanners knew the correct procedures for
overtaking or being passed by a road train,
Safety and
welfare the number one priority for Centurion drivers
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"But there are always some less experienced who don't," it said.
According to Centurion's general manager of HSEQ safety Luke Beeston,
safety and the welfare of other road users was the number one priority for
its drivers.
"We understand that cars, caravans and road
trains all have to share the roads and we want everyone to arrive at their
destination without incident," Mr Beeston said.
"Passing a road train can be an intimidating experience for motorists and
caravanners, but it can also be stressful for the truck driver.
"The key is for everyone to be educated as to safe behaviours. That way
the risk of an incident and injury can be averted."
He said Centurion's "strong safety culture" was embedded in its drivers'
daily behaviour.
"This includes driving to conditions, showing patience and being
courteous," Mr Beeston explained.
"But that is only part of the prevention of incidents. By raising
awareness among the public we want other road users to understand the
hazards and demonstrate the same safe practices to ensure we all arrive at
our destination safely."
Here are Centurion’s top tips to help motorists and caravanners when
passing a road train.
When overtaking a road train:
Step One: Keep your lights on so you can be clearly
seen, especially in dusty or overcast conditions.
Step Two: Be patient. Passing a road train can take as
long as 60 seconds. Make sure you have maximum visibility and nothing is
coming in the other direction.
Step Three: Position your vehicle so you can see any
oncoming traffic and so the road train driver can see you.
Step Four: If you want to pass, keep your right hand
blinker on to let the truckie know.
Step Five: Use your UHF radio to call through on Channel
40. Identify the truck and the direction and ask if it is clear to pass.
Step Six: When it's clear accelerate at a safe and
consistent speed and pass.
Step Seven: Be aware of your speed when you've completed
your overtaking manoeuvre. Road trains need plenty of room to come to a
stop.
Step Eight: Be aware of everyone around you and remember
it's always good to acknowledge when people do the right things with a
wave and a smile.
When being overtaken:
Steo One: If you're travelling close together with other
caravans leave at least 100 metres between you and the caravan in front.
Truck drivers need room to pull in after their overtaking manoeuvre.
Step Two: If you are about to be overtaken by a road
train maintain a consistent speed, don't break or slow down, and
definitely don't speed up.
Step Three: Road trains can be over 50 metres so let the
driver know when he can pull in after his overtaking manoeuvre with a
flash of your headlights.
Step Four: It's about everyone doing the right thing on
our roads. By understanding what to do, being patient and being courteous
we'll all arrive at our destination safely.