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BUNBURY motorists need to be educated on sharing the road with trucks to avoid senseless tragedies.
This was the warning delivered by Transport Workers Union spokesman Paul Aslan on the back of an alarming truck and car crash near Dalyellup last week.
A truck turning right into Harewoods Road off Bussell Highway collided with a four-wheel-drive.
Two elderly Busselton women received minor injuries in the crash. The truck driver was shaken, but unharmed.
South West Traffic officer-in-charge sergeant Gerard Murphy said there were more than 400 vehicle movements and up to 30 trucks going in and out of Harewoods Road every day due to the construction of a new road.
The increasing amount of trucks on Bunbury roads means drivers should be prepared to share the road with trucks at an early stage, according to Mr Aslan.
He said education should start in schools and learner drivers should be taught to be aware of trucks.
“The major complaint we have is cars cutting in front of trucks and leaving no space for braking,” Mr Aslan said.
“Most truck drivers are professionals and they drive better than the average motorist.
“Truck drivers are astonished to see people driving and texting on mobile phones and eating their lunch.”
Mr Aslan called on the state government to fund a campaign to improve motorists’ truck education.
Dalyellup woman Donna Miller said she drove past the intersection every day and had lost count of the amount of times trucks pulled out in front of her, forcing her to slam on her brakes.
“It makes me so furious they think they can do what they like,” Ms Miller said.
“It happens at least three times a week and that is just me so I’m sure it happens to plenty more people.”
The Bunbury Wellington Economic Alliance’s Roads to Export plan hopes to reduce the density of heavy vehicles on Bunbury roads.
But Mayor David Smith said trucks were always going to be a risk factor in the South West.
Mayor Smith is a member of the Bunbury Region RoadWise Committee and said he would raise the issue with members to work towards a possible safety solution.
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