As millions of Australians gear up for an Easter driving holiday to visit family, relax by the coast, or enjoy the serenity of our rural towns, there’s one group that won’t be taking a break—our nation’s truck drivers. While most of us are packing the car and planning pitstops, these professional drivers are still hard at work, delivering the supplies and services that make your long weekend more enjoyable.
This Easter, the message from the transport industry is clear: show patience, give space, and respect the people who keep Australia moving.
Crashes Are Climbing—And Car Drivers Are Often At Fault
New data from the National Truck Accident Research Centre (NTARC) reveals a troubling trend. Over the last five years, crashes caused by inadequate following distance have increased by a staggering 73.5%. In most of these incidents, it’s the car driver at fault.
“From our data, and what we regularly hear from truck drivers, when they leave a safe travelling distance in front of them, a car driver will cut in and try to erode that gap,” says Aaron Louws, Supply Chain Technical Manager at NTI. “This can result in the truck colliding with the rear of the car, causing significant damage and harm.”
These aren’t just statistics. They represent real danger on our roads, particularly during high-traffic periods like Easter.
Louws points out that in fatal crashes involving trucks and cars, the car driver is at fault in 85 per cent of cases. “If we think about who really has a lot of ownership around their own safety, so much of the control sits with the car driver,” he explains.
You’re Visiting—They’re Working
While it might feel like the open road is part of your holiday, for a truck driver, it’s the workplace. And just like you wouldn’t interrupt a barista mid-coffee pour or step in front of a forklift in a warehouse, you shouldn’t cut off or tailgate a truck on the highway.
Marc Sibbald, speaking with Aaron Louws, put it bluntly: “It’s a bit like going to the ocean and complaining about a shark bite. You’re actually invading their workspace by going on your holiday.”
It’s a humorous comparison, but it hits home. Truck drivers are navigating our roads every day, in all weather, with strict delivery schedules and heavy vehicles that require greater stopping distances and wider turning circles. They know the roads. They know the risks. And most importantly, they know what it takes to drive safely.
Holiday Drivers Have a Lot on Their Minds
Louws highlights the complexity of long-distance holiday travel, especially for those not used to towing caravans, driving in rural areas, or managing packed cars full of kids and luggage.
“There’s going to be increased traffic, people are going to be thinking about other things. They’ve got family in the back. They’ve got the boat wobbling around. They might be on roads they don’t know well,” he says. “Safety around heavy vehicles isn’t always front of mind.”
But it needs to be.
A Few Simple Actions Can Save Lives
If you’re heading away this Easter, here are a few things you can do to stay safe and show respect for our truckies:
- Don’t cut in front of trucks. That gap is their safety buffer. Taking it away could cost lives.
- Maintain a safe following distance. Trucks can’t stop as quickly as a car.
- Stay out of blind spots. If you can’t see the truck’s mirrors, the driver probably can’t see you.
- Be patient. Trucks are speed limited and take longer to accelerate, especially when fully loaded.
- Plan ahead. Leave early, avoid peak times, and give yourself plenty of time so you’re not tempted to take risks.
It’s About Shared Responsibility
Road safety isn’t just the responsibility of professional drivers. It’s a shared obligation. Yes, truck drivers have a duty to drive carefully and professionally—and the vast majority do. But the data tells us that car drivers have a bigger role to play in preventing serious crashes.
As Louws notes, “Some people will say, ‘Well, truck drivers need to do more too’. And I don’t disagree. But our data shows that when it comes to fatal accidents, 85 per cent of the time, it’s the car driver who’s made the mistake.”
Respect the People Behind the Wheel
Truck drivers don’t just deliver food, fuel and goods. They deliver your Easter. From the chocolate eggs on the supermarket shelf to the petrol at the servo, the ingredients for your barbecue and the surfboard on the back of your car—none of it gets there without a truck driver.
So, as you hit the road this Easter, remember that behind every rig is a hardworking professional with a job to do, a family to return to, and a deep understanding of what it means to drive safely.
Let’s all do our part.
Be patient. Give space. And get to your destination safely—together.
