A study by TMX has found female truck drivers will drive on by poorly managed rest areas rather than risk feeling unsafe
Poor lighting, unenclosed shower facilities, a lack of security and the risk of vandalism to their vehicles are the main areas of concern female truck drivers have listed as part of a recent study into the suitability of Australia’s truck rest stops.
Healthy Heads in Trucks & Sheds (HHTS), a not-for-profit which aims to improve the wellbeing of national transport, warehousing, and logistics workers, commissioned TMX Transform to evaluate heavy vehicle rest areas across Australia.
“It is critical that heavy vehicles drivers are as mentally healthy as they can be so that they can maintain concentration and deal with the stresses of the road,” a HTTS spokesperson says.
“To achieve this, it is critical that we provide the support they need while on the road: suitable rest areas are an important part of this support.”
The study, which included surveying men and women drivers, a literature review, industry consultation, crash data analysis and route analysis, found there are not enough fit-for-purpose rest areas for heavy vehicle drivers, which is impacting driver safety and mental and physical health.
Most survey respondents say they stop at rest areas due to fatigue and to use the bathroom. Fatigue and distraction, or inattention, are the two leading causes of heavy vehicle accidents in Australia.
How a rest area is designed influences not only whether a driver gets the rest they need, but whether they stop at all. Without adequate space for turning and bitumen for parking, or well-lit, clean, and comfortable facilities, we know drivers are discouraged from using the rest stop.
“Improving this infrastructure for heavy vehicle drivers across the country will reduce the number of accidents on the road every year.”
Some of the report’s recommendations included:
- The establishment of a National Heavy Vehicle Rest Area Strategy
- Ongoing consultation of an industry ‘action group’
- Adding clean toilets and adequate parking to current minimum design standards for Heavy Vehicle rest areas
- Design and implementation of a Heavy Vehicle Rest Area pilot stops
Women make up only three per cent of heavy vehicle drivers. Survey respondents say these conditions must improve if the industry wants to employ and retain more women.
This article was originally published by Trade Trucks on July 24, 2023.