A QUEENSLAND caravanner is working on a programme to help create a
better understanding between recreational vehicle owners and truck
drivers.
Ken Wilson believes his Truck Friendly driver
education project
will help them improve their relationships when it comes to sharing the
highways, rest areas and other places where the two groups come into
contact.
"We are now well into the annual grey nomad season here in Queensland and
there are thousands of caravanners and RVs on our roads as they migrate
from the colder southern states into sunny Queensland and beyond for a
warmer winter," he explained to Caravanning News.
"As a caravan user myself, I have seen both sides of the argument between
who is right and who is wrong in the truck verses caravan debate on our
roads."
Mr Wilson has been developing his programme for about two years and
although it was originally devised for the Sunshine State he said it could
easily be expanded for Australian-wide distribution.
Work has included drafting a 30-page educational
booklet which deals with overtaking, using truck stops, parking and other
issues where trucks, RVs and caravans coexist.
A special
sticker designed for caravanners to show are 'truck trained'
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A special sticker is also being designed with the idea
that caravanners take the Truck
Friendly course and then position
it on the back of their caravan to let truckies
know they are 'truck trained'.
"Countless hours are wasted by truck drivers who are slowed to arrive at
their destination on time or pushed out of truck stops due to caravanners
not knowing how to, or not wanting to, help trucks on the roads," Mr
Wilson said.
"Currently, people can buy a caravan, hook it up behind their car or 4x4
and tow it around Australia without any formal training of any sort. Many
have not towed anything bigger than a box trailer.
"The result is a severe lack of knowledge on how their 13-plus metre rig
can affect other road users, including the lifeblood of our country
... the
trucking industry.
"It should also be remembered that many caravan and RV owners are ageing
retirees in holiday mode, with slowing reflexes and other medical
concerns."
He thought a small amount of education on "what to do and what not to do"
would go a long way to making roads safer and less stressful for all
users.
Mr Wilson is looking for sponsors to help promote and run the programme
and print his booklet and stickers,
"CIL Caravan and RV Insurance have already supported this program to help
get it to this stage," he said.
"Caravanning Queensland supports the project and has also offered
assistance with distribution through their network of member caravan
parks, dealers and other industry professionals.
"I am sure there are many truck drivers and companies who will throw a box
or two of booklets on the back of their truck to help distribute them.
"I am currently doing this as a private citizen with my own funds and time
and cannot access the many government funding grants available for
projects such as this."
