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Do you know what to do when it’s #BiggerThanYou?
R
oad transport makes a vital contribution to WA’s economy and, with our remote and rugged landscape, there’s often no option other than to move very large items by road. Oversize and overmass (OSOM) vehicles and road trains are built to transport very large loads on rural roads. They are usually bigger, slower and wider than the average vehicle and, for many road users, it can be daunting sharing the road with them. Over the last 12 months, travel restrictions imposed by COVID-19 have led to a significant increase in traffic on our regional roads. Statistics from Main Roads’ Mid-West Gascoyne region indicate that traffic consisting of cars towing a caravan has increased by 140 per cent on the Brand Highway compared to the same
time last year, and 150 per cent on North West Coastal Highway. Cars have increased by 105 per cent on Minilya Exmouth Road and by more than 50 per cent on North West Coastal Highway, Shark Bay Road and Northampton Kalbarri Road. The increase in traffic has also led to more industry feedback regarding ‘near miss’ incidents, along with reports of road users not knowing what Heavy Vehicle Pilots or Traffic Escort Wardens are, or
what they’re employed to do. With this in mind, Main Roads recently launched its ‘Know what to do when it’s #BiggerThanYou’ education campaign to help road users understand the role of Pilots and Wardens, and to help drive a change in behaviour. Main Roads Director of Heavy Vehicle Services, Michael Buba, says that there are four simple steps road users should follow when they encounter a load which is ‘bigger, wider or slower than you’. “If you come across an oversize vehicle traveling towards you, we ask that you slow down, move left, prepare to stop and follow the direction given to you by the Pilot or Warden. “Pilots and Wardens are there to help you safely navigate the oversize load ahead – and they have the same powers as WA Police to direct you around the load”. These four steps are prominently featured in the new education campaign currently running on radio and TV across WA, and supported by social media. “By raising awareness of OSOM vehicles, and of what road users should do when they’re faced with oversize vehicles on their journey, we are actively working to help reduce the number of incidents on our roads” Mr Buba said. To read more about the campaign or, to download the campaign materials, visit www.mainroads.wa.gov.au/travelinformation/driving-in-wa/safety/drivingwith-trucks-and-oversize-vehicles/
Traffic consisting of cars towing a caravan has increased by 140 per cent on the Brand Highway compared to the same time last year, and 150 per cent on North West Coastal Highway
WATM • March 2021
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