NHVR urges road users to be careful around trucks this holiday season

The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) urges road users to be careful around trucks this holiday season, reminding all motorists to exercise caution around heavy vehicles during the festive period. Bureau of Infrastructure and Transport Research Economics (BITRE) statistics indicate that 165 people have been killed in heavy vehicle crashes this year, underscoring why the NHVR is issuing critical safety reminders as traffic volumes rise across the national transport network.

Why the NHVR is Urging Caution Around Heavy Vehicles

NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto said, "It's important that all road users are aware that a truck is difficult to manoeuvre, it has large blind spots, and other vehicles can be hidden behind, alongside and in front."

"When you add it all together, it really does take a lot of skill for a truck driver to get from point A to point B safely, and all road users need to play a role in the safety of that journey."

Understanding the Risks for Drivers and Other Road Users

Trucks and other heavy vehicles present unique challenges on Australian roads. A turning truck, for example, requires significantly more space than a standard passenger vehicle, which means smaller cars travelling near heavy vehicles must stay alert and avoid crowding their path.

• Not overtaking on blind corners or narrow stretches of transport routes
• Keeping a safe distance from prime movers and trailers during turns
• Recognising blind spots that hide smaller vehicles from a driver's view
• Allowing extra braking distance behind heavy transport vehicles

A National Push for Safer Transport Corridors

Industry bodies sound alarm over the rising toll on transport corridors each holiday season, calling for greater awareness among motorists and freight operators alike. Similar concerns followed the Eyre Highway truck crash, which highlighted how quickly conditions on long-haul transport routes can turn dangerous.

Given the surge in holiday travel, the NHVR's message applies to everyone sharing Australia's roads, not only professional operators. Whether commuting locally or driving long distances for transport work, all road users share responsibility for reducing collisions involving trucks.

What Road Users Can Do to Stay Safe

Safety around heavy vehicles comes down to awareness, patience and planning. The NHVR recommends motorists:

• Maintain a safe following distance behind trucks
• Avoid sudden lane changes near heavy transport
• Be patient when heavy vehicles are turning or reversing
• Stay visible and avoid lingering in blind spots

For businesses managing transport operations, understanding these risks forms part of broader compliance obligations. Reviewing a road freight transport checklist can help operators identify hazards before vehicles head out onto busy holiday roads.

Supporting Safer Work Practices Around Trucks

Beyond public roads, workplaces that involve loading, unloading or manoeuvring near trucks also carry risk. Employers should ensure staff follow safe procedures, such as those outlined in a forklift loading and unloading trucks SWMS, to reduce injuries in depots and warehouses.

Civil construction crews working alongside transport routes face similar exposure. Referring to a civil road works SWMS helps ensure teams remain protected while heavy vehicles pass through active work zones.

As the NHVR continues urging caution this season, the message remains consistent: safety around trucks depends on every road user, not just those behind the wheel of a heavy vehicle. Read more here.