Truck drivers and representatives from the industry are emphasizing the need for heightened awareness regarding hazardous driving practices.
Recently, a 21-year-old woman from Victoria faced charges for reckless driving after dash cam footage allegedly captured her executing an unsafe overtaking maneuver on a triple road train.
In response to this alarming incident, truck drivers have begun sharing dash cam recordings of their own near-miss experiences on social media platforms.
The trucking sector is urging for enhanced advocacy focused on road safety measures, especially following the release of dramatic footage depicting trucks being overtaken dangerously on busy regional roads in Western Australia.
The aforementioned dash cam video, which shows the Victorian woman overtaking a triple road train on the South Coast Highway near Dalyup, led to her being charged with reckless driving after police reported that both an approaching road train and another vehicle had to take evasive actions to avoid a crash.
Following this event, numerous truck drivers in the Esperance area have shared similar videos online, highlighting the prevalent issue.
Graeme Brass, a truck driver who frequently travels along that route, noted that such incidents have become increasingly frequent. He recounted a specific encounter where a car attempted to overtake his truck, only to veer off and stop at the roadside, narrowly avoiding other oncoming traffic.
Just before his interview with ABC, Brass witnessed another driver making the same dangerous maneuver. “You see it happening nearly every day, at least three to five times daily,” he remarked. “It has reached a point where witnessing such behavior is so common that it no longer surprises you.” He characterized this behavior as a reflection of drivers’ impatience.
“Most of the time, they’ll choose to pass in a risky spot, only to find a long, clear stretch of road a little further ahead where the overtaking could be done safely,” he added.
Mark Townrow, a transport operator, also pointed out that inexperienced and impatient drivers of larger vehicles, such as caravans or campervans, may heighten road risks for everyone. “We all share the road, and it’s essential for all parties involved to exercise patience and understanding of the dynamics at play,” he said. “You are sharing the road with vehicles that can weigh up to 50 times more than your own, which affects their ability to accelerate or stop compared to smaller cars.”
According to the Road Safety Commission, there have been 53 road fatalities in Western Australia so far this year, a decrease from 61 during the same period last year, although five individuals lost their lives during the recent Easter holiday.
Cam Dumesny, the chief executive of the Western Roads Federation, expressed concern that truck drivers are often not consulted adequately when it comes to enhancing road safety. He noted that truck drivers frequently become the first responders in accidents, even if they are not directly involved. “One aspect that often gets overlooked in discussions about dangerous driving is the consequences and the impact on our drivers,” he stated.
Dumesny pointed out that the WA Police have an online system for reporting dangerous driving incidents and suggested that it should be utilized more effectively. “Raising awareness is a crucial first step,” he concluded.
