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Signage letting drivers know how long road trains are is currently being trialled in Western Australia — and Main Roads is seeking community feedback on the project.
Key points:
- Main Roads are trialling road train length signage until June next year
- Community feedback is being sought on the signs' effectiveness in WA
- One road train driver says better education is needed first
Acting director of heavy vehicle services Mike Buba said the safety initiative was targeted at drivers who were unfamiliar with road trains.
"It's more for the … grey nomad or just your basic P-plater," Mr Buba said.
"So they can make an informed decision as to say, 'well, gee, that's 53 metres long … should I actually be a bit more cautious when I move out to overtake?'"
He said current feedback suggested "road train" or "long vehicle" signage did not provide drivers with enough information.
Truck companies participating in trial
Road train driver Glenn "Yogi" Kendall said he believed learner drivers should get more information about road trains during their initial education.
"People really have no idea out on the open road at all," he said.
"There should be way more education into getting your licence and operating around road trains."
Two WA trucking companies including Centurion Transport have got on board with the trial, which began in October and runs until June next year.
Centurion Transport transport compliance manager Mel de Beer said it provided some road train drivers with reassurance.
"It puts them at ease knowing the guy following realises this vehicle is particularly long," Mr de Beer said.
"They (the person overtaking) will then think about the overtake."
But he agreed more driver education was needed as well.
"People not used to travelling roads will not understand what they're approaching and have to abandon the overtake midway through," he said.
"It just assists the drivers."
More education initiatives coming
WA Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said not all WA drivers were the same.
"People don't drive on regional roads all the time," Ms Saffioti said.
"Many people may be visiting regional WA a couple of times a year … so I think it's not a bad thing that we continually educate.
"The idea that somehow you stop trying to educate and make the roads safe as soon as someone gets their licence is false."
Mr Buba flagged further education campaigns to better educate drivers.
"This is one step in terms of what we're doing … we've got some advertising going out [on] interacting with heavy vehicles," he said.
"It's part of our total education campaign over the next couple of years."