A Gunnedah truck driver says a lack of rest areas for heavy vehicles is putting lives at risk.
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MDH Haulage owner Mark Hall said drivers of heavy vehicles were being forced to use whatever they could find when they needed to pull-over.
“The lack of dedicated heavy vehicle rest areas is forcing drivers to use pull-offs where council store gravel for road maintenance,” he said.
“This puts drivers’ lives at risk due to the unsuitable conditions of these pull-offs.”
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Mr Hall met with Tamworth candidate Jeff Bacon to share his concerns.
The Shooters, Fishers and Farmers (SFF) candidate said providing more truck rest stops in regional NSW was one of his top priorities.
Mr Bacon has called on the NSW government for more standardised heavy vehicle rest areas after a number of near misses.
“Because of the lack of heavy vehicle rest areas throughout the electorate, some drivers are forced to work outside of regulated hours to find a rest area to stop leading to fatigue issues,” Mr Bacon said.
“Transport companies have to work within the government’s regulation and abide by fatigue rules that limit the amount of hours a truck driver can work so the least the government can do is supply basic amenities and enough room to safely park trucks off the road.”
