Truckers experience Fatigue & Driving Issues

The joint Transport Workers Union (TWU)/NRMA BusinessWise undertook a survey of over 320 truck drivers.

The major concern that was discovered from the survey was that almost 40 per cent of the drivers showed their distress on dangerous driving practice of fellow motorists.

Other problems that were listed were overtaking troubles and Fatigue.

The study indicated that over two thirds of commercial vehicle drivers had to carry on with their activities in spite of being tired.

Moreover, the rest stops are poor in condition and not available that frequently on the highway.

Nearly 70 per cent of the truck drivers want more education for the trucking community to work together & practice safe driving on the National Highways. They ponder that the highways are poor for transport of heavy vehicles, with almost two-thirds want the governments to commit to widening roads.

The NRMA Businesswise & TWU survey of heavy vehicle drivers also found: 

• 90 per cent believe overcrowding has affected their ability to deliver goods on time. 
• 85 per cent want more bypasses to divert heavy vehicles away from major towns. 
• 76 per cent believe freight has increased over the last 12 months.
• 68 per cent would support real time traffic information screens set up to provide more information on traffic congestion.
• 33 per cent wanted new rest areas built close to town centers and service stations. 

The government is looking up on all the major concerns to rectify them to smooth the flow of trucking industry in the country. Many major projects are undertaken to benefit truck drivers and help them transport goods at an efficient rate.