This story first appeared in the June issue of DieselTalk – CLICK HERE to download the magazine FREE
The Canterbury-based NZ Trucking Association kicked off its ‘Share the road with Big Trucks’ safety programme at Rolleston’s Clearview School at the end of May, putting more than 700 students through the presentation.
Executive officer Carol McGeady says the organisation’s goal is to bring the programme to as many schools, community groups, and industry gatherings as it possibly can.
NZ Trucking Association chief executive Dave Boyce says he would love to gather up the wherewithal to take the programme across New Zealand, but for now he says – mainly due to, funding – the focus will remain on local activities.
“I would like to gather up enough resource to roll this out nationally, but at the moment, with our limited resources, we will just focus on local schools and events,” says Boyce.
At Clearview School, the road show included two Western Star tractor units (supplied by local dealer Heavy Trucks), as well as a walk through a gazebo area containing banners illustrating the safety messages. But more importantly, a play area for the children, which highlighted the different types of trucks on New Zealand roads and what they carry.
Heavy Trucks is the Christchurch dealership for MAN and Western Star, and dealer principal Adam Wright says he was happy to give his support to the initiative.
“NZ Trucking is a proactive organisation and it was a no-brainer to support such an initiative,” says Wright.
“I would like to see other such industry organisations in New Zealand get behind such a programme as this one,” he says.
The students and staff at Clearview School were obviously excited about the two large Western Stars parked on the quadrangle by the school’s gymnasium, because they all wanted to climb up into the cab to see the view from the driver’s seat.
Each participant was given a copy of the safety booklet, a trucking magazine, and for the older students, a trucking careers booklet.
The safety booklet covers topics such as air turbulence, cyclist blind zones, passing a truck, pedestrian crossings, pulling off the road, truck blind zones, turning trucks, unexpected splash or spray, not pulling out in front of trucks, and following trucks with wide loads.
It’s been specifically designed to share safety tips around big trucks to save lives and prevent unnecessary injuries.
There were two bikes strategically placed in front of the two trucks, a graphic illustration to all concerned of the blind spots that drivers of big prime movers face every day on the road.
The point was not lost on the students and teachers too, as they were assisted into the cab of each truck by NZ Trucking Association staff, members, and the staff from Heavy Trucks.
Most students had never had the opportunity to sit inside the cab of a prime mover, and they were genuinely excited and thrilled by the experience, but it also reiterated why they needed to be mindful of their safety when sharing the road with trucks.
The day concluded successfully with members of the local police, district council, and news media, also joining in and experiencing the new programme for themselves. It is hoped that there will be more days planned for local schools in the near future.
