Share the Road programme teaches Whanganui's Carlton School students about logging trucks and road safety

McCarthy Transport Wanganui Hub manager Greg Wood has eager pupils lining up for a turn in the driver's seat.

Carlton School students now know what it's like to be in the driver's seat of a logging truck and what they can do to help with road safety.

McCarthy Transport, FOMS and the Southern North Island Wood Council, led by McCarthy's Wanganui Transport Hub manager Greg Wood, spent Friday, March 8 talking to Carlton School pupils about the Share The Road programme.

Developed by the Log Transport Safety Council (LTSC), Share The Road is a programme to educate students in schools that are located on or near routes that logging trucks travel. Carlton School is on Carlton Ave, which is part of State Highway 3.

"It was a great opportunity to present to the 280 students," McCarthy Transport's HSQE manager Cheryl van der Heyden said.

McCarthy Transport driver trainer Kev Carr talks to a group of Carlton School students.

"After an assembly presentation in the hall, log trucks from McCarthy Transport and Central Logistics' Services were taken to Springvale Park so that the students could understand the blind spots the vehicle has, what the driver can see or not see from his/her driving seat, along with vehicle stopping distances.

"Despite the weather, the rain didn't dampen the excitement of the students who had the opportunity to see first-hand what it is like being in the driver's seat of a log truck.

"As the Share The Road programme encourages students walking or riding bikes to school to wear bright clothing to make sure that the drivers of vehicles know they are there, each of the 280 Carlton School students were issued with their own Be Safe, Be Seen high-viz vest."

A big thumbs-up from some of the students after checking out a logging truck.