Fatigue stop near Dannevirke helps to inform truck drivers

Truck driver Brett Haddon, heading north from Masterton to Hawke's Bay, took time out for a fatigue stop south of Dannevirke. Photo/Christine McKay

A truck fatigue stop south of Dannevirke last week was exceptionally busy, with 92 north-bound trucks waved into the stop by police between 9am and noon.

"A lot of drivers this year didn't stop for a drink, preferring to continue their journey," Debbie Webster, Horizons Regional Council's road safety co-ordinator for Tararua and Horowhenua, said.

Registered nurse Sue Farrell, left, and Glenda Leitao from Horizons in Whanganui, ready for an influx of truck drivers at the fatigue stop.

"They gave a range of reasons, with many being on a timeline to get to their destination, while others had just started their shift or had recently had a break."

However, all drivers received packs containing road safety information, as well as fruit, water and sandwiches. Those who did stop were able to have a free health assessment with registered nurse Sue Farrell, with their blood pressure and blood sugar levels checked. There was also free light refreshments.

"Over the years there have been a number of truck crashes in both Hawke's Bay and Tararua regions, so it's really important for us to be able to highlight the need for drivers to take breaks, keep to the speed limit and look after their general health," Ms Webster said.

Logging truck driver Brett Haddon stopped for a free coffee, a welcome break as he made the trip from Masterton to Pan Pac in Hawke's Bay.

Debbie Webster, road safety co-ordinator for Horizons Regional Council, hands over a fatigue stop goodie bag to Kirk Hudson from Auckland, who preferred to keep on trucking.

Stock Lines driver Ryan Murphy was making the haul from the South Island to State Highway 50 and hadn't encountered a fatigue stop before.

"I didn't know what was going on when I saw the cop point me in here," he said. "This is a good idea though."

Ms Webster said feedback from the truck drivers was very positive with several having been through the stop in previous years.

Last year more than 65 drivers chose to have a three-minute health check.

"We see the stop as an opportunity to talk to truck drivers about being safe on the road and to provide them with resources which promote safe driving practices."

The facts:
• In 2016, 75 people died and a further 850 were injured in road crashes involving trucks. This was 23 per cent of all deaths and 7 per cent of all reported injuries on our roads.
• Safety levels are improving. The number of fatal crashes involving a truck for every 100 million kilometres driven, has dropped by a third since the early 2000s.
• However, there has been little change since 2008.