They may look scary ... but they don't have to be
The perceived rift between grey nomads and truckies is often brought to the surface at this time of the year … but that doesn’t have to be the case.
More relaxed travellers in caravans and motorhomes on the road doesn’t necessarily have to mean more conflict with the professional drivers behind the wheel of big rigs, and there are numerous efforts to ensure that is the case.
In Port Hedland last week, a group of truckies ventured into the Turf Club’s overflow camp site to discuss safety awareness with grey nomads.
The drivers from Qube, one of the Pilbara’s major logistics and infrastructure companies, said they wanted to break down barriers with caravan and campervan travellers. More than 50 people came along to engage with them.
“It’s about that relationship building” said Qube regional manager, Adam Brough. It’s not an ‘us and them’ thing … we’re all on the road together and we all need to be safe together and not be afraid to interact together.”
Mr Brough told the North West Telegraph newspaper that the initial feedback from the day had been positive and it may become an annual event to ensure the relationship with travellers stays strong.
“It’s just about us engaging other road users and highlighting Qube’s commitment to safety and all the safety features we install on all our trucks,” he said. “We want to ensure that not only are we safe and our equipment safe, but also other people are safe.”
And the grey nomads responded to the initiative with enthusiasm. Sydney retiree Angela Harrison told the Telegraph that the information session had been valuable to both her and her husband.
“We’ve never driven in this part of Australia,” she said. “We want to work with the drivers and be safe, so it’s been really interesting.”
* Do you think there is a ‘them and us’ attitude between grey nomads and truckies? Comment below.
Well there wouldn’t be a them and us mentality if both parties just drove without an attitude, talk to each other, be considerate and above all don’t think you are the expert.We all get old sometime.
To preface, I’m a caravanner and not a trucker, but my view is that the law of the ocean should apply, little boats give way to big boats ergo cars and caravans should give way to trucks.
Put another way, when I was was still working, and no I wasn’t a truck driver, I would be very unhappy with anybody who interfered with my ability to make a living. If you look at the pure maths, a truck that is consistently slowed down by 10 kph adds an hour to their day.
I use the UHF to communicate with trucks both when overtaking, and being overtaken and I have a 100% satisfaction rating with every truck driver I have communicated with.
Vanners to use their 2 ways. Talk to the truck driver or other van that is approaching from behind. Let the big rig driver know that you are aware he is there. The other big one for me is those that have 2 ways fitted TURN THEM ON and if you dont have one GET ONE FITTED. It may save your life
I agree with Neil, in the nine months I spent I traveling throughout OZ (except Tassi, that’s on my to do list) there were many times when patience got tested .
As I was driving a motorhome there were times when I was rather slow going up hill. But a sense of humour used to lighten the tension with the triple bogie driver pushing fully loaded rig up the same hill.
I used the 2way to let the truckie know I knew I was holding him up, “sorry mate I’m pedaling this rig as fast as I can!” .A kindly voice would boom back saying with a laugh, ” no worries love, I’ll pass you soon as I get the chance, thanks for chatting and take care!” A brilliant result as everyone was happy!!!
My husband is a retired road train driver and he always calls up the truck coming up behind and lets him know he will give him a call to pass when it is safe. Most truckies are happy to respond and some even have a quick chat. These guys are on a schedule and need to keep to it. We aren’t usually and can afford the time to travel a little bit slower if need be.
What a great initiative now need government road safety to get on board across the country! There has been a quontem increase in RV’s on road in our 13 years & more driver education is badly needed. In 13 years of 5th wheeling & now motorhoming around Aus I have only had one truckey curse me over the 2 way for holding him up downhill & he was a coal truck (they are referred to as “cowboys”) driver on My Ousley NSW. Most of the others had commended me for safe driving using the gears downhill. Often had friendly chats with truckies especially in outback regions. Had an escort vehicle on the Great North Hwy in WA advise of six wide loads approaching I replied too big for us we will stop & boil the billy! One by one including Police escorts all put their orders in as they went past for coffees, scones, cakes even a ‘coldie’!