Coles and its supply chain partners have joined forces with the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) to promote the We Need Space campaign.
Coles trailers carried by Linfox and Toll will become giant, travelling billboards in NSW, Queensland and Victoria, urging road users to stay out of truck blind spots, learn how to overtake trucks safely, and avoid overtaking turning trucks.
The NHVR has produced a series of community service announcements fronted by Supercars Champion Garth Tander. They will be rolling out educational resources through driver education programs and its state and territory transport authority partners.
Improving supply chain safety
Coles Chief Legal and Safety Officer David Brewster says the retailer is committed to improving safety through the transport supply chain.
“Our transport operators travel approximately 100 million kilometres each year, delivering goods via our distribution centres to more than 800 supermarkets across the country,” he says.
“Last year our robust supply chain was put under pressure like never before, as Coles stepped up to become an essential service and continue to help feeding Australians through the pandemic.
“We want to educate and work with road users to avoid potential incidents, so that the drivers carrying loads for Coles and the communities through which they travel can all stay safe.”
Recognising heavy vehicle drivers
Assistant Minister for Road Safety and Freight Transport Scott Buchholz says that in many instances of multi-vehicle crashes, it was not the heavy vehicle driver at fault.
“Heavy vehicle drivers are proud of their safe driving. It is what they do each and every day – a proud profession – but we know some motorists might feel a little intimidated by sharing the road with them,” he says.
“It is important all road users recognise that trucks can be difficult to manoeuvre, have large blind spots and regularly have to navigate unpredictable traffic.”
NHVR ‘excited’ to partner with Coles
NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto has welcomed the partnership with Coles. He says the We Need Space is a great example of the regulator, business and government working together in the interest of road safety.
“We’re excited that Coles has chosen to partner with us in our We Need Space campaign to help give Australia’s truck drivers the space they need to keep us safe, and we thank Toll and Linfox for coming on board too,” says Mr Petroccitto.
“It’s also great that respected Supercars Champion Garth Tander is continuing to support the campaign by helping us deliver these important safety messages.
“Garth has been an invaluable We Need Space ambassador, helping spread the word that, unlike a racing car driver, it’s not all about getting to the front and staying there.”
