Longer and lower loads a 'big bang' for safety, say truckers

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Changes to logging truck rules will give the "biggest bang" for improved road safety in the industry, says Log Transport Safety Council secretary Bruce Nairn.

From June 20, the allowable length of logging trucks, including overhanging loads, will increase from 20m to 22m.

That will enable truckers to carry the same maximum load weight without stacking the load as high as they do currently. Rear trailer loads will be split into two lower loads packed end-to-end.

In two separate road trials, the Land Transport Safety Authority found significant improvements in truck stability by reducing load heights from 3.8m to between 2m and 2.6m.

Acting Transport Minister Judith Tizard announced the change today, saying it would cut logging truck rollover crashes by up to 40 per cent if all trucks used the increased load length. There is currently an average of one truck rollover crash per week.

Mr Nairn said today that the council had first proposed the move five years ago and been "turned down flat" by authorities.

But after safety improvements were shown with other measures, such as equipment re-engineering and driver education, Mr Nairn said authorities were more prepared to listen to the truck length proposal.

"All along we said this was going to give us the biggest bang (in improving logging truck safety)," Mr Nairn told NZPA.

He said operators would not have to buy new trailers as the change allowed for a longer overhang on the rear trailer. Trucks would have to display extra lights, flags and signs, including one stating the truck length, and panels visible at night.

It is estimated it would take motorists an extra half second to overtake the longer trucks.

Mr Nairn said the change would not increase the impact on roads, which are already deteriorating under rapidly increasing logging activity as New Zealand's "wall of wood" matures.

He said it might even ease pressure as loads would be spread over a greater area of the truck.

- NZPA

Feature: Cutting the road toll

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