More truck rest areas needed on Far North Coast

NRMA Motoring & Services wants to see more rest areas, particularly for truck drivers, on the Far North Coast stretch of the Pacific Highway in a bid to curb fatigue related crashes.

On the final leg of a three-day trip up the Pacific Highway, NRMA President Alan Evans said there was a distinct lack of suitable rest stops along the route.

"Fatigue related crashes are a serious concern on the Pacific Highway, with drivers often traveling long distances north after leaving Sydney," Mr Evans said.

"The trucking industry has told us that existing truck rest areas are often full and this leaves drivers with no alternative but to drive on.

"Truckies are also unlikely to detour far from the highway to rest, because they are often moved on from local streets.

"We need the Federal and State governments to provide more rest areas for truck drivers at the northern end of the highway.

"Providing these new facilities would be a positive step forward in improving road safety for long-haul operators."

Local Director Wendy Machin said the NRMA had identified possible locations for new truck rest areas:

• Between Kempsey and north of Coffs Harbour
• Between Woodburn and Brunswick Heads

"While we appreciate a new rest area is proposed for the Woodburn to Ballina section, we are only at the concept design stage of the project and it is unclear when this part of the highway will be upgraded," Ms Machin said. 
  
"Meanwhile, we have a major issue of driver fatigue to contend with."

Ms Machin said there was also a need for better signposting of rest areas so motorists know where they are, what facilities they have and when the next one is so they can plan their trip.