Log truckers' plea – be patient and give us space
Log truckers are asking other road users to be patient and to give them space this summer.
“The forest industry is going gangbusters and many of the plantations being logged are in hill country near popular
holiday destinations. The roads are often narrow and winding with few places to overtake,” says Warwick Wilshier, chair
of the Log Transport Safety Council.
“Our drivers are professionals. They will pull over where they can to let traffic through. But safety is their first
priority, as it must be for all drivers on the road.”
If trucks pull off the road itself, they run the risk of getting bogged or worse still, rolling over if the road margin
collapses. Motorists need to be patient and respect the trucker’s decision as to where it’s safe to pull over.
“Many motorists also need to take more care before deciding to overtake,” Mr Wilshier says.
“Overtaking is the most dangerous thing we do when driving because it means putting ourselves in the path of oncoming
vehicles. So you should do it only when there is plenty of time and clear road to complete the manoeuvre safely.
“Our drivers are trained to be extremely vigilant and they need to be. Time and again they have to take evasive action
because of the ridiculous things motorists do in order to reach their destination a minute or two earlier.”
Giving trucks space is important. When large vehicles are turning they sometimes need to swing out across lanes and
should not be overtaken while they are doing this.
“Forty four tonnes of laden lorry also needs more distance to stop than a 1-tonne car. So don’t cut in front of them
after passing, especially if there is a compulsory stop ahead.”
Mr Wilshier says nearly all log truckers have a prominent 0800 LOG TRUCK placard on the back of their vehicles. This
means they are committed to road safety and professionalism in everything they do.
“If you feel a trucker has been particularly courteous or helpful, ring the 0800 number and record your thanks. On the
other hand, if you see evidence of dangerous driving or other unsafe practices, let us know about that too. All messages
get back to drivers and their employers.”
The 0800 LOG TRUCK number is one of several successful safety initiatives that the forest industry and log truckers have
been working on for more than 10 years.
Forest Owners Association transport spokesperson Brian Pritchard says the industry is aware that many motorists fear log
trucks more than other heavy vehicles. But this fear no longer has any basis in fact.
“Rollovers involving log trucks have dropped from 6.5 for every 5 million kilometres travelled in 1998 to less than 1
today. Log trucks are now as safe, or safer, than other classes of heavy vehicle.”
He says log trucks have every right to be on the roads. Indeed they are the public face of New Zealand’s third biggest
export industry – one that helps build the prosperity of all New Zealanders.
“Over the holidays, if you get stuck behind a log truck on a winding road, use the time to reflect on the fact that many
of your Christmas presents and holiday toys were probably bought with overseas funds generated in part by logs like the
ones on the truck in front of you.”
ENDS