NSW committee has called for more and better rest areas

A Parliamentary Committee report into pressures on heavy vehicle drivers in New South Wales has nailed it. The report emphasises it is critical for the safety of heavy vehicle truck drivers to have adequate rest areas and improved training. The NSW Legislative Council Committee on Transport & the Arts called on the State Government to construct more adequate parking bays and rest areas to help truck drivers comply with their rest break obligations. The report also directs the Government to run a community education campaign to discourage the use of rest areas by cars and caravans.

NatRoad appeared before the committee last year, pushing the case for more and better equipped rest areas on behalf of members. It was encouraging to see the committee call on the NSW Government to support the introduction of competency-based driver training programs for new heavy vehicle drivers.