Safety around trucks is critical for pedestrians and people riding bikes, and Bicycle Network's Swapping Seats campaign continues raising awareness of this issue by putting people in the driver's seat.
While truck drivers are adept at moving their vehicles through busy urban environments, there are patches of road they simply cannot see.
These blinds spots exist at the front, side and rear of the vehicle and can create serious danger for bike riders and other vulnerable road users.
Bicycle Network's latest Swapping Seats campaign was commissioned by the Suburban Rail Loop Authority as part of a Safety Training Day for staff at the Victorian Tunnelling Centre in Chadstone on Thursday 29 June.
Nearly 100 staff took part in truck safety exercises designed to educate them on driver visibility and the challenges of piloting heavy vehicles.
This included the "Swapping Seats" exercise, in which participants were invited aboard a truck fitted with safety devices including special mirrors, cameras and visual alerts designed to protect vulnerable road users.
While staff were left impressed by the safety features of the trucks, they were also educated on just how vigilant drivers need to be when looking out for vulnerable road users.
The Suburban Rail Loop Authority plans to work with industry to deliver similar programs for construction workers and the community in general.
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