At the beginning of July 180 students and teachers from Redcliffs School in Christchurch took part in the ‘Share the Road Safely with Big Trucks‘ programme run by the NZ Trucking Association.

Having a real life working concrete truck from Allied Concrete and a new Western Star from Heavy Trucks parked on the playground created a lot of excitement at the school. Drivers were on hand at each truck to answer questions and explain safety around the truck.

Students were then walked through safety messages before learning basic road safety tips by playing with toy trucks on the play mat. After they completed the programme they each received a trucking magazine, drink bottle and take-home booklet containing the safety messages. All the teachers received a pack containing posters illustrating the safety messages.

Volunteers from Fonterra, Allied, Chevron, CVIU, JLT and Heavy Trucks helped run the programme with association members.

“This is a very full programme and we couldn‘t do it without volunteers, so we are very thankful for the help on the day,” said Dave Boyce, CEO of the NZ Trucking Association The association plans to take the programme further and reach as many people as possible. Creating awareness will help save lives and reduce the roll toll around truck-related accidents.

If you would like to get involved, please contact Dave Boyce at the NZ Trucking Association on 0800 338 338.