VIC Truck Stops

Travelling long distances can take its toll on drivers, soit is critical that regular stops are made. Chief Executive of VicRoads, GaryLiddle, reinforces the aim of the Victorian Rest Area Strategy is to reducefatigue-related incidents by taking a holistic, strategic approach to rest stopareas across Victoria .

Did you know that going without sleep for 17 hours has thesame effect on driving performance as a Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) of0.05? While extended periods of sleep are recommended to drivers, a powernap of about 15 to 20 minutes has also been shown to improve driver performance.

VicRoads have identified the following features required byrest areas:

• Be well placed on key freight routes and othermajor arterial roads across regional Victoria
• Provide opportunities for sleep, not just abreak from driving
• Have sufficient parking spaces to meet current andpotential future demand
• Meet the different needs of light and heavyvehicle drivers
• Be attractive to encourage drivers to stop forrest and sleep

Currently, there is an extensive network of rest areas andfreeway services centres on Victorian roads, with approximately 120 stopssuitable for heavy vehicles. Some of the major truck stops in Victoria includeHume Hwy/Cooper St, Sommerton; Hume Hwy/Truck City Dr, Campbellfield; WesternRing Rd, between Fitzgerald and Boundary Rds, Derrimut; West Gate Fwy, betweenSalmon St and Todd Rd, Port Melbourne; Hume Hwy, north of Patullos Lane, Craigieburn;and Princes Hwy, Corio. The facilities available at major rest areas includeseparate all-weather parking areas for heavy vehicles, toilets, seating,drinking water, rubbish bins and possibly tourist information, commercial foodand drinks vans and barbeques.  

Although rest breaks are not regulated for light vehicledrivers, every driver has a legal obligation to drive safely having regard totheir mental and physical condition. It s important to plan your trips and restbreaks prior to departure to ensure the safest approach is followed.

Pulling over for a short period of time and either gettingout of your truck or taking a short nap will allow your body to revitalize,leaving you feeling more alert and comfortable for the driving ahead. Don t ignoresigns of fatigue and act immediately. The repercussions can be greater than youimagine.