NEW SAFETY TRUCK WILL EDUCATE YOUNG AUSTRALIANS

The Federal Liberal and Nationals Government is partnering with the Australian Trucking Association (ATA) to educate young Australians on how to safely share roads with heavy vehicles, following today’s launch of SafeT360 – the new Volvo ATA Safety Truck.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said the Federal Government was pleased to commit $400,000 to the ATA to make the Volvo ATA Safety Truck a reality.

“The Volvo ATA Safety Truck will play a crucial role in helping to reduce the number of deaths and serious injuries caused in crashes involving trucks,” Mr McCormack said. 

“This important initiative is focused on 16 to 25-year-old drivers and will reach 50,000 young people each year, delivering engaging, hands-on education about how to drive safely around heavy vehicles.”

Assistant Minister for Road Safety and Freight Transport Scott Buchholz said the Volvo ATA Safety Truck will equip our future drivers with the skills they need to stay safe on the road.

“Young road users will be put in a virtual driver’s seat to increase their understanding of truck blind spots, the dangers of cutting in front of trucks, overtaking turning trucks and the dangers of driver distraction,” Mr Buchholz said.

“This will be supported by informative, small group presentations that reinforce safety messages and drive behavioural change.”

“The Volvo ATA Safety Truck will travel Australia-wide to visit career expos, high schools, TAFE colleges, universities and key road safety events.”

Chair of the Australian Trucking Association Geoff Crouch said 16 to 25-year-old road users are dying or being seriously injured on our roads every day.

“Drivers in this age group are overrepresented in crash statistics and this must change,” Mr Crouch said.

“Trucks are an essential part of Australia’s day-to-day life and will always be on our roads. As an industry and with the support of the Australian Government, we are leading the way to educate the next generation of road users and, most importantly, save lives.

“SafeT360 is the new face of road safety education that will deliver an engaging and hands-on behavioural change experience.”

In addition to the Federal Government funding, the Volvo ATA Safety Truck is supported by ATA Foundation Sponsors BP, Volvo and National Transport Insurance, as well as Australia Post and 3M.