Large trucks have the starring role in an industry body-led initiative designed not only to create a safety awareness around trucks but also to engage and attract more young Kiwis into a transport career.
More than 170 pupils plus parents and staff Redcliffs School near Christchurch enjoyed a visiting Allied Concrete Truck and a Western Star Unit delivering another day of the New Zealand Trucking Association’s “Sharing the road safely with big trucks” programme.
“We had more than 70 students from the senior school attending the programme, as well as more than 100 pupils from the junior school as well as two local preschools,” says NZ Trucking Association chief executive Dave Boyce.
“We are trying to engage with the kids, and we are very happy with the progress we’ve made so far,” he says.
“We’ve got heaps of schools who are interested in this programme, but we are also going to run for it elderly people thanks to an invitation from Age Concern’s Yvonne Parker,” says Boyce.
On September 26, the “Keeping Active” event at Papanui High School is anticipating more than 6000 people to attend, which Boyce says should prove a great opportunity for the association to share its message.
Future programme dates will include Trucking 2016 at Wigram Air Force Museum in October, and THE Expo at Mystery Creek Events Centre in March 2017.
Boyce says the NZ Trucking Associations “Sharing the road safely with big trucks” initiative continues to gather momentum as more and more schools and community groups are now requesting a visit.
But he admits the association has limited resources and is seeking ways and means to roll the programme out to a wider audience, with the hope that it may also go nationwide eventually.
Boyce says that currently delivering the programme to schools and public events would not be possible without the help of volunteers from within the industry and stakeholders.
“Creating awareness and educating people about trucks will save lives and reduce the road toll around truck-related accidents,” says Boyce.
“We are grateful for the support we have received from Heavy Trucks, Allied, Chevron, Fonterra, CVIU, JLT, and NZTA,” he says.
