NTI - Truckies' plea for drivers to keep their distance this Easter as incidents climb

Source: NTI Media Alert (17.04.2025)

Transport workers are asking car drivers to give them space this long weekend, with the number of incidents caused by inadequate following distance dramatically on the rise.

The latest National Truck Accident Research Centre (NTARC) Major Incident Investigation Report shows over a five-year period, crashes caused by inadequate following distance have increased by a staggering 73.5 per cent.

The research is developed in partnership between NTI, Monash University Accident Research Centre (MUARC) and the National Road Safety Partnership Program (NRSPP).

NTI Supply Chain Technical Manager, Aaron Louws said the incidents often play out the same way.

“What we’ve found from our data, and what we regularly hear from truck drivers, is that when they leave a safe travelling distance in front of them, a car driver will cut in and try to erode that gap,” Mr Louws said.

“This can result in the truck colliding with the rear of the car causing significant damage and harm. These incidents are almost always in a major city.

“We see this more than twice a week among NTI-insured trucks.”

Mr Louws said it’s often the result of car drivers being complacent on the road and failing to understand the needs of heavy vehicles.

"The reality is trucks take a longer distance to stop. They’re also less agile when it comes to defensive driving, and sometimes the alternative is more dangerous," he said.

"So while it may look like there’s plenty of space to fit, if traffic unexpectedly slows ahead, there’s simply no time or space for a heavy vehicle to stop safely if you’re too close to the front of the vehicle, and that’s before even worrying about large blind spots."

Mr Louws said the data had a stark warning for car drivers.

“The research also found for fatal truck and car crashes, the car was at-fault in 85 per cent of incidents. Let’s slow down, take the time, give the space, and work towards creating safer roads for all users.”

NTI is Australia’s largest transport and logistics insurance specialist and has been an advocate for the transport industry for more than 45 years.