Goodaye all, short and sweet this week. Been away and missed all the floods, had some heavy rain, no time to get truck clean or complete much more, except put some carpet in and arrange a bit more storage. Thanks to Inland Truck Centres Dubbo Kenworth dealer for the first service and the next one might get a chance to try and finish lights. One bloke asked me was it Christmas (and I said, yes next week) but another called me up and said it looked awesome, so it only goes to show you can’t please all the people all the time.
Big day Monday for zoom meetings, so a couple of stops on my way to Mt Isa will hopefully see me get a say regarding fatigue review and how current laws, penalties and fines etc affect drivers health.
I note the ATA is now calling for a National Truck Rest Area Strategy, seems I recall proposing that, but if they can help it be achieved, then more than happy for them to push the barrow. We sent the NRFA 6 point plan to all state trucking associations and whilst a couple gave me oral support, none got right behind it.
Many say we have too many associations to get listened too and of course, each says it does the best job representing the road transport industry, but who actually represents the drivers best? I would welcome your views, who has helped you, who has represented you as a driver and who do you support?
I had a call from another past association executive who was involved with the blockade at Gundagai, they believe there are still those who would block the roads to get things fixed, but I don’t think that is the real answer. One it is illegal and they can and will, bulldoze your trucks off the road and yes, we have some public empathy and understanding, but I fear it is more said than felt and of course, the government doesn’t have a clue. They have Glen Sterle’s report sitting gathering dust and don’t seem keen to do much.
Would you put everything you own on the line to block a highway? I don’t think I could and unless we all agree on a person or group to speak for us, have the issues and solutions ready to give to government, then doing so without those things will meant it will not achieve its’ goals. But off to the Isa. Till next week, Safe Travelling, Rod Hannifey.
TRUCKRIGHT 