Queenslanders hitting the road for the first school holidays since travel restrictions eased are being urged to take extra caution behind the wheel, with many of us planning our first long drive in months.
A research report from insurance company National Transport Insurance contains an analysis of the way fatal crashes involving a car and truck occur, after it found in 80 per cent of these collisions, the car driver was at fault.
NTI chief executive Tony Clark said they hoped the knowledge would help protect both car and truck drivers in the leadup to the school holiday period.
"Almost half of fatal crashes involving a car and truck (48 per cent) were head on collisions from opposite directions," Mr Clark said.
"Close to a third (29 per cent) were T-bone crashes and 11 per cent involved vehicles travelling in the same direction."
Mr Clark said it was important all drivers share the road effectively.
"We're asking all road users heading away for the school holidays to take their time, schedule in plenty of rest breaks and remember, if you're feeling tired, the only cure for fatigue is sleep," he said.
"We also all need to ensure we're sticking to the speed limit, avoiding distractions, wearing seat belts and of course, never driving under the influence.
"Car drivers also need to make sure they're giving trucks plenty of time and space. Trucks take longer to break and slow down so risky manoeuvres like pulling out in front of a heavy vehicle can be dangerous."
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Mr Clark said the road was a truck driver's workplace.
"Truck drivers are incredibly skilled professionals," he said.
"They are on the road day in and day out to ensure all Australians have what we need, particularly in the lead up to a high-demand time like the school holidays. We want our truckies, and all road users to come home safely, every single time they get behind the wheel."
This comes after after the Queensland Police Service released a report earlier this month showing an eight per cent increase in the number of fatal traffic crashes across Queensland.
The report revealed a total of 91 lives had been lost on Queensland roads in the first five months of 2020, up from 84 at the same time last year.