CONSTRUCTION Industry Training Services (CITS) invited local L2P learners and mentors to a truck safety course at the CITS Hamilton site on Saturday, April 20.
L2P coordinator, Marisa Fazzi said, “I was thrilled to hear that the CITS training school had invited us to their site in Hamilton!
“It’s great to see that Steve Oliver, our contact at CITS and a L2P mentor, is not only committed to the success of these young drivers but also to their safety when sharing the road with trucks.”
The attendees were given an insight into the challenges of driving a truck including how they operate around roundabouts and their various blind spots.
An organised activity for the attendees where they sat in a truck with cars parked variously around them highlighted blind spots for truck drivers.
CITS heavy vehicle trainer assessor license tester, Steve Oliver said, “every truck driver you talk to say they have a near miss about once a month.”
Mr Oliver added that the saying ‘Without Trucks Australia Stops’ has been very true and he would like to spread more road transport awareness throughout Australia.
“One of the most important aspects of driving, regardless of the vehicle type, is safety,” Mrs Fazzi said.
“Unfortunately, many new drivers don’t receive the proper training when it comes to driving around large trucks.
“This lack of knowledge can lead to potentially dangerous situations on the road.
“The L2P program, which relies on volunteer supervisor drivers, is an excellent initiative that not only empowers these drivers but also ensures that learners are educated to drive safely around trucks.
“Together, we can make a real difference in the lives of young drivers and contribute to a safer, more responsible driving community,” she said.
Highway patrol also joined in on the day and spoke on a number of topics including road trauma and driving to the conditions. CITS Manager, Kerri Coyle said, “I was extremely happy with the positive feedback and hope to run more sessions in the future if there is enough interest in the community.”
