Media statement | 23 May 2006

Log truck safety group scoops the awards

A big drop in log truck crashes during a time of rapid growth in the industry has earned the Log Transport Safety Council the Premier Award in the latest New Zealand Road Safety Innovation and Achievement Awards.

A 65 percent reduction in log truck crashes and a 75 percent reduction in rollover crashes over the past seven years have helped the logging industry move from one of the most unsafe in commercial transport to one of the best.

The improvements in safety have been achieved through a range of measures including improved vehicle design and driver behaviour. The Log Transport Safety Council has worked with transport operators, forest owners, government and researchers to make significant improvements to road safety in the sector.

The measures introduced by the council include:

• the introduction of longer, lower log trucks
• improved component design
• more use of ‘roll-stiff’ suspensions improving rollover stability and handling
• lowering the deck heights of vehicles through better chassis design, improved suspension layouts and low profile tyres
• more use of ‘multi-bunk’ trailers

Driver behaviour has also been targeted through training, safety awareness campaigns and an ‘0800 LOGTRUCK’ compliments and complaints system.

Covert monitoring of speed around curves found that there has been no increase in log truck speeds despite the drivers having more stable rigs. Log trucks typically travel around curves five kilometres an hour slower than other trucks.

“This is an innovative and extensive programme that has lead to great improvements in safety in this traditionally risky sector,” says judging panel member Michael Gross.

“The Log Transport Safety Council is a worthy winner of the Premier Award. The entire logging sector can take pride in the improvements that have been made,” said Mr Gross.

For more information:

Andy Knackstedt
Media Manager
Land Transport New Zealand
Ph: 04 931 8829 or 0212 763 222

Background information on the awards

The Road Safety Innovation and Achievement Awards awards programme is funded by the Road Safety Trust and administered by Land Transport New Zealand. The awards organising committee includes representatives from the New Zealand Automobile Association, the AA Driver Education Foundation, New Zealand Police, ACC and Land Transport New Zealand.

There are five categories, plus the Premier award:

• Road Safety Education Award
• Road Safety Community Award
• Road Safety in Organisations Award
• Road Safety Vehicle Based Award
• Road Safety Road-engineering Award

All entries in the were evaluated by a three member expert judging panel comprised of Michael Gross, Dr Carolyn Cogan, Director of the Safe Communities Foundation of New Zealand, and Suzanne Sinclair, chair of the Road Safety Trust.