Changing behaviour, saving lives and serious injuries

NZ Trucking Association Road Safety Truck - changing behaviour
on the road, saving lives and serious injuries

The Safety MAN Road Safety Truck was launched in August 2017 by the NZ Trucking Association. Since then, over 11,000 participants are more aware of how to Share the Road with Big Trucks and Heavy Vehicle Operators have learnt how to be a Healthy Truck Driver.

The programmes were developed by the NZ Trucking Association to prevent crashes and truck rollovers. Share the Road with Big Trucks is delivered to schools, community groups and events, to raise awareness of truck capabilities and how to share the road safely. The Healthy Truck Driver program highlights common health issues that can contribute to fatigue (one of the major factors in truck crashes) and provides tips on how to improve driver health and wellbeing.

The Safety MAN truck was made possible thanks to the support of industry suppliers and key stakeholders. These businesses generously sponsored goods or services to ensure the programmes reach as many transport companies, schools, and community events as possible. This initiative was originally commissioned as part of the NZTA (Safe Roads) Truck Rollover Prevention Plan. Research showed that other road users and fatigue were major contributing factors in truck-related crashes and truck rollovers. The NZ Trucking Association is part of the Truck Crashes / Rollover Prevention Team and came up with the Safety MAN Road Safety Truck as an interactive way to raise awareness to all road users about sharing the road safely with trucks and improving driver health.

The programmes have now been independently evaluated by Beca, to see if the programs have worked and if they have made a positive difference.

The conclusion is: there are positive behaviour changes because of the programmes.

These behaviour changes can contribute to less deaths and serious injuries on NZ roads.

The independent evaluation from Beca is an amazing result. It’s so rewarding to have this result, proven independently, that our programmes are changing behaviour on the road, which is saving lives and serious injuries. This is what we set out to do and this is what we are achieving - said Dave Boyce CEO NZ Trucking Association.

Some argue that one-off visits don’t work to change peoples’ behaviour but if that one-off visit is interactive and engaging and supported with good resources, then it’s now proven that they can work. Having a program that raises awareness by giving participants a memorable experience they can learn from, is lifesaving.

More sponsorship is required so that the Safety MAN can meet the endless demand of requested visits. We would have the Safety MAN out 24/7 if we had suitable funding, said Dave Boyce. Currently it is running with the small team from NZ Trucking Association and with volunteer support.

This initiative is a very cost-effective way to save lives and injuries on the road. While the focus of the programmes is safety around trucks, the messages suit all road users and all ages. Rolling up in this magnificent MAN truck and custom trailer instantly captures people’s attention and inside of the trailer, an inspiring learning environment has been created. It’s a WIN-WIN!

You can find out more www.roadsafetytruck.co.nz

If you would like to become a sponsor or supporter of the Safety MAN Road Safety Truck, contact Carol McGeady: 021 252 7252 carol.mcgeady@nztruckingassn.co.nz

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