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Mr Wilson:
Amazed at what happens on the road |
Sponsors sought
for project
Industry backs
Ken's Truck Friendly crusade
Story-Photos: Dennis Amor
Have your say
CARAVANNER Ken Wilson has launched a new
program designed to improve the often strained relationship between fellow
travellers and truckies.
The project has already received the backing of
the country's peak caravanning body, the Caravan
Industry Association of Australia.
Chief
executive Stuart Lamont said it looked "very
interesting as an adjunct to our Co-Exist campaign".
"There is some background work to do regarding the logistics, criteria,
management etc but anything which assists in road safety and caravanners and truck
drivers respecting one another on the road is a good thing,"
he said.
Caravanning Queensland's chief executive
Ron Chapman also supports the initiative.
Mr Wilson and wife Jenny from Bundaberg in Queensland have been avid
caravanners for a decade and are often amazed at what happens on the road.
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Mr Wilson
at work on his
Truck Friendly website |
"We have all seen silly and dangerous driving and have witnessed firsthand
the lack of understanding by many drivers on how to help the truckies," Mr
Wilson told Caravanning News.
"Listening to comments and having conversations with truck drivers on the
UHF often highlights their frustration.
"As my home state of Queensland will shortly be subject to the annual grey
nomad 'invasion' of southern state caravanners escaping the cooler
southern states, the situation will get drastically worse over coming
months," he said.
Mr Wilson put on his thinking cap and after three years has finally come
up with his Truck Friendly program, which
is backed up with a special website and easily
recognisable green 300mm stickers for the rear of
caravans and other RVs.
He also plans to have a Support the Truck Friendly
Program sticker
for the rear of trucks to help spread the word, create discussion and
driver awareness of the needs of truck drivers.
"This will also assist in expanding the program at a later date to
encompass further aspects of heavy transport road safety," Mr Wilson
explained.
He has consulted various trucking Industry groups and individuals,
caravanning and motorhome clubs and associations to gain knowledge to
share through the program, which has the support of
caravan and RV clubs.
All road users had the right to travel at what they considered to be a
safe speed, Mr Wilson said.
"I am sure most people will agree that to unnecessarily hold up other
roads users when options are available is just very inconsiderate.
"When using rest areas it should also be remembered that the truck drivers
must, by law, rest at regular intervals for the safety of the driver and
other road users and plan their trips accordingly."
Mr Wilson pointed out that governments had provided truck stops at regular
intervals for this purpose.
"Having their rest area filled with tourists who have parked all over the
place with no regard for other road users is very inconsiderate," he said.
"It is agreed there are not enough rest areas along our highways for all
road users, and the industry bodies and others should
lobby governments to have more rest areas for caravanners and RV
drivers, especially in view of the changing dynamic towards more
self-contained vehicles."
Mr Wilson has so far financed the Truck Friendly project from his
own pocket but is now looking for sponsors.
To view his site, click here.