{"id":155786,"date":"2016-08-25T16:53:05","date_gmt":"2016-08-25T06:53:05","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/?p=155786"},"modified":"2020-10-06T16:06:54","modified_gmt":"2020-10-06T06:06:54","slug":"share-the-road-it-belongs-to-everyone","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/2016\/08\/25\/share-the-road-it-belongs-to-everyone\/","title":{"rendered":"Share The Road … It Belongs To Everyone"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Drivers should be mindful when driving near heavy vehicles … they handle differently to cars, and take longer to stop (Photo: RACQ)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

August 25, 2016<\/strong><\/p>\n

It’s Day 4 of Road Safety Week … and the topics police would like drivers to think about are “sharing the roads” and “vulnerable road users”.<\/p>\n

Officer-in-charge of Kingaroy Police, Senior Sergeant Duane Frank, said drivers should always be mindful and considerate of other road users.<\/p>\n

This meant watching out for motorbikes, bicycles and pedestrians, but also taking extra care when driving near trucks, buses and other heavy vehicles.<\/p>\n

Drivers should also be tolerant and patient with L-plate and P-plate drivers who are new to the road and still gaining confidence.<\/p>\n

“We’re all busy people, but we need to take the time to show respect to other road users,” Snr Sgt Frank said.<\/p>\n

“Aggressive and angry drivers make bad drivers.<\/p>\n

“Tailgating, unsafe lane changes, cutting off other drivers and failing to give way all lead to crashes.”<\/p>\n

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The Queensland road toll for 2016 currently stands at 156, with 12 deaths so far in August.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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The RACQ also issued a warning on Thursday for drivers to be vigilant around trucks, with the latest figures showing an over-representation of fatalities involving heavy vehicles.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Spokesman Steve Spalding said 24 people had died so far this year in crashes involving heavy vehicles in Queensland.<\/p>\n

\u201cLast year, heavy vehicles accounted for less than 3 per cent of all vehicles registered in our State and yet they represented more than 20 per cent of all road fatalities (49 deaths),\u201d Mr Spalding said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis year, unfortunately, the trend isn\u2019t improving so it\u2019s important to educate motorists about how to properly share the road with trucks.<\/p>\n

“This message is particularly important for drivers in regional areas where large trucks frequent our roads and highways.\u201d<\/p>\n

Queensland Trucking Association CEO Gary Mahon agreed, saying motorists needed to be more aware of the differences between cars and heavy vehicles.<\/p>\n

\u201cTrucks handle differently and they take longer to stop once the driver hits the brakes,\u201d Mr Mahon said.<\/p>\n

\u201cCar drivers need to slow down and ensure they can see a truck\u2019s mirrors. That way they\u2019ll know the truck driver can see them.\u201d<\/p>\n

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