Roads Are Workplaces Too – Holiday Road Safety Warning

Car drivers are being reminded to be considerate these school holidays, with workers across several industries continuing to use roads for work.

‍

“It’s important to remember roads are workplaces too,” the Australian Institute of Health and Safety (AIHS) Chair, Cameron Montgomery, said.

‍

“December is a peak season for transport workers, who help to ensure shelves remain stocked with food for the Christmas table, medicines, and other retail goods, while also delivering those last-minute Christmas gifts. ” Safe Work Australia’s preliminary fatalities data shows the Transport, postal and warehousing industry has the highest number of worker deaths of any industry in 2024, with 44 people having lost their lives.

‍

Mr Montgomery said it’s not just truck drivers using the roads for work this Christmas. “As well as heavy vehicles carrying goods, there are also Ubers and taxis, and small businesses like butchers and florists on the road making deliveries, ” Mr Montgomery said.

“Construction, trades, and maintenance workers also rely on the road network to do their job and so too do home care providers who must travel to and from private

residences.

“We ask everyone on the roads this Christmas to take their time, be patient, and be courteous to those on holidays and those trying to do their job. "

“Everyone has the right to go to work and return home safely.” Cameron Montgomery AIHS Chair Cameron Montgomery has worked in Occupational Health and Safety and Injury Management for two decades and serves on the Industry Advisory Board for the Victorian Institute of Occupational Safety and Health Australia at Federation University as a safety expert. He has been at the AIHS for five years and was elected Chair in November 2023.

‍

‍

Sources:

Australian Institute of Health and Safety - December 20, 2024