Rural Road Safety Month: NHVR Urges Extra Caution on Rural Roads
Drivers across Australia are being urged to exercise increased caution on rural roads as part of Rural Road Safety Month, a campaign spearheaded by the Australian Road Safety Foundation (ARSF). This initiative, running throughout September, comes as alarming new statistics highlight the heightened risk of fatal crashes outside urban areas.
The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) has joined the call, emphasising the need for all drivers to stay vigilant and heed safety warnings, particularly in rural and regional areas where the road toll remains disproportionately high. In 2023 alone, 811 lives were lost on rural and regional roads, accounting for about two-thirds of the national road toll, despite these areas being far less populated than urban centres.
NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto OAM expressed deep concern over the continued high number of fatalities on Australian roads, particularly those involving heavy vehicles such as trucks and buses.
“Losing a friend, family member, or loved one in a road accident is a tragedy, and the impact is especially devastating in rural and regional communities,” Mr. Petroccitto said. “Our experience at the NHVR shows that rural and regional roads present unique challenges and risks, including higher speed limits, unsealed roads, and environmental hazards like animals or visual obstructions.”
Mr. Petroccitto urged all road users to take extra precautions during Rural Road Safety Month, including ensuring they are well-rested and alert before getting behind the wheel. He highlighted the dangers associated with heavy vehicles, which have larger blind spots and require longer distances to slow down.
“Of the 92 lives lost in collisions involving heavy vehicles from January to July this year, 60 were in regional, rural, or remote areas,” Mr. Petroccitto noted. “Trucks are essential to keeping Australia moving, and it’s crucial that light vehicle drivers understand how to safely share the road with them, particularly on rural highways where they are more likely to encounter large trucks.”
He advised drivers to always maintain a safe following distance, overtake only when it is safe, and give heavy vehicles extra space. “Collisions involving heavy vehicles are much more likely to result in devastating outcomes due to their size and weight,” he said. “At the NHVR, we are committed to reducing the road toll and ensuring that all motorists, including our nation’s truckies, get home safely.”
For more information on Rural Road Safety Month and how to stay safe on rural roads, visit the Australian Road Safety Foundation’s website.
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