Latest news with #SouthIslandRoadFreightSeminar
Scoop
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Scoop
Road Rage And Abusive Behaviour Concerns Road Freight Operators
Press Release – Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand Transporting New Zealand continues to advocate for roading improvements that reduce the risk of driver frustration and impatience, including additional passing lanes, widening narrow corners, and providing improved rest and parking facilities for trucks … The 2025 National Road Freight Survey has raised concerns about truck drivers facing road rage and abuse while doing their jobs. The survey of 194 industry participants across 128 road freight firms asked respondents to rank their three leading issues, ranging from health and wellbeing of drivers to the state of the roading network. Of the survey respondents who identified public perception and industry reputation as one of their leading issues, 50 per cent said their drivers regularly experienced abuse from members of the public while working. These findings were supported by results from a survey from AA Insurance earlier in the year, showing nearly half of respondents thought road rage had intensified over the past 12 months. Billy Clemens, head of Transporting New Zealand's Policy & Advocacy, says while most of the public view truck drivers positively, a small minority of road users were putting others at risk. 'Research NZ surveyed 1005 members of the public and found more than seven times as many people surveyed having a positive perception of road freight drivers compared to those taking a negative view (52 per cent to 7 per cent, the remainder being neutral). 'Transporting New Zealand's concerns about road rage and abuse are focussed on a very small proportion of road users.' 'What worries us and our road freight members are truck drivers being harassed and abused while going about their work. Truck driving is challenging enough without drivers having to ignore insults and abuse, de-escalate disputes, and refer threatening behaviour onto Police.' Clemens acknowledged that trucks could challenge people's patience on the road, but encouraged all road users to show patience and consideration, and report poor driving to Police at -555. 'Trucks are limited to a maximum of 90 km/h on all roads, need additional time to speed up and slow down, and need to take particular care on narrow roads and corners. 'Drivers also need to park up their trucks to take mandated rest breaks. These factors can all contribute to frustration from other road users, but we encourage everyone to be considerate.' Transporting New Zealand is also responding to these concerns by providing practical guidance to truck drivers on how to resolve incidents of road rage and abuse. This includes a session on practical de-escalation and conflict resolution skills at its South Island Road Freight Seminar in Christchurch on 28 June. The session will be presented by Protect Self Defence, with supporting resources and videos to be shared publicly afterwards, supported by the E. J. Brenan Memorial Trust. Transporting New Zealand also continues to advocate for roading improvements that reduce the risk of driver frustration and impatience, including additional passing lanes, widening narrow corners, and providing improved rest and parking facilities for trucks and other vehicles. 'With a combination of education, roading improvements, and considerate behaviour, we can make the roads safer for everyone.' About Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand is the peak national membership association representing the road freight transport industry. Our members operate urban, rural and inter- regional commercial freight transport services throughout the country. Road is the dominant freight mode in New Zealand, transporting 92.8% of the freight task on a tonnage basis, and 75.1% on a tonne-km basis. The road freight transport industry employs over 34,000 people across more than 4700 businesses, with an annual turnover of $6 billion.
Scoop
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Scoop
Road Rage And Abusive Behaviour Concerns Road Freight Operators
The 2025 National Road Freight Survey has raised concerns about truck drivers facing road rage and abuse while doing their jobs. The survey of 194 industry participants across 128 road freight firms asked respondents to rank their three leading issues, ranging from health and wellbeing of drivers to the state of the roading network. Of the survey respondents who identified public perception and industry reputation as one of their leading issues, 50 per cent said their drivers regularly experienced abuse from members of the public while working. These findings were supported by results from a survey from AA Insurance earlier in the year, showing nearly half of respondents thought road rage had intensified over the past 12 months. Billy Clemens, head of Transporting New Zealand's Policy & Advocacy, says while most of the public view truck drivers positively, a small minority of road users were putting others at risk. "Research NZ surveyed 1005 members of the public and found more than seven times as many people surveyed having a positive perception of road freight drivers compared to those taking a negative view (52 per cent to 7 per cent, the remainder being neutral). "Transporting New Zealand's concerns about road rage and abuse are focussed on a very small proportion of road users." "What worries us and our road freight members are truck drivers being harassed and abused while going about their work. Truck driving is challenging enough without drivers having to ignore insults and abuse, de-escalate disputes, and refer threatening behaviour onto Police." Clemens acknowledged that trucks could challenge people's patience on the road, but encouraged all road users to show patience and consideration, and report poor driving to Police at -555. "Trucks are limited to a maximum of 90 km/h on all roads, need additional time to speed up and slow down, and need to take particular care on narrow roads and corners. "Drivers also need to park up their trucks to take mandated rest breaks. These factors can all contribute to frustration from other road users, but we encourage everyone to be considerate." Transporting New Zealand is also responding to these concerns by providing practical guidance to truck drivers on how to resolve incidents of road rage and abuse. This includes a session on practical de-escalation and conflict resolution skills at its South Island Road Freight Seminar in Christchurch on 28 June. The session will be presented by Protect Self Defence, with supporting resources and videos to be shared publicly afterwards, supported by the E. J. Brenan Memorial Trust. Transporting New Zealand also continues to advocate for roading improvements that reduce the risk of driver frustration and impatience, including additional passing lanes, widening narrow corners, and providing improved rest and parking facilities for trucks and other vehicles. "With a combination of education, roading improvements, and considerate behaviour, we can make the roads safer for everyone." About Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand is the peak national membership association representing the road freight transport industry. Our members operate urban, rural and inter- regional commercial freight transport services throughout the country. Road is the dominant freight mode in New Zealand, transporting 92.8% of the freight task on a tonnage basis, and 75.1% on a tonne-km basis. The road freight transport industry employs over 34,000 people across more than 4700 businesses, with an annual turnover of $6 billion.
Scoop
08-05-2025
- Automotive
- Scoop
It's Good To Be A Truckie On The Coast
Press Release – Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand The upcoming report will analyse shifts in age, gender, income trends, and even home ownership across the 33,000-strong truck-driving workforce. National road freight association Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand is partnering with Teletrac Navman to produce a detailed snapshot of the road transport sector. The report will be released at Transporting New Zealand's South Island Road Freight Seminar in Christchurch on 28 June. One of the early findings is that truck drivers on the West Coast of the South Island do well in comparison to the rest of New Zealand. 'The latest Census data shows that the West Coast has the best-paid truck drivers in the country, followed by Southland and Waikato,' says Transporting New Zealand's Policy and Advocacy Lead, Billy Clemens. 'This varies according to the different regional freight tasks and demands. Our analysis will dig into that further.' The upcoming report will analyse shifts in age, gender, income trends, and even home ownership across the 33,000-strong truck-driving workforce. It is the latest element of the Driving Change Diversity Programme, sponsored by fleet management solutions provider Teletrac Navman as part of that company's commitment to supporting workforce development in the transport sector. Clemens says having an evidence-based report of workforce trends will help road freight businesses with planning and building resilience. 'We know that over 30,000 New Zealanders work as truck drivers – as at 2023, this figure was up to 33,744. However, we've been missing evidence-based insights into the number of women working in the industry, the age of the workforce, average hours worked, income, and other demographic trends. 'Our Road Transport Workforce Snapshot will look at data from the past three censuses, along with other authoritative data sources, to paint a comprehensive picture. 'This information will help ensure Transporting New Zealand and our members are prepared for changes in the workforce, help guide our policy and project priorities and will demonstrate the progress the road freight sector is making in workforce development.' 'Transporting New Zealand is incredibly grateful for Teletrac Navman's ongoing support of the Driving Change Diversity Programme and the Road Transport Workforce Report.' Regional Rankings – Mean Truck Driver Income Across New Zealand (according to 2023 Census data) 1. West Coast 2. Southland 3. Waikato 4. Tasman 5. Marlborough 6. Manawatū-Whanganui 7. Canterbury 8. Otago 9. Taranaki 10. Bay of Plenty 11. Hawke's Bay 12. Auckland 13. Northland 14. Nelson 15. Wellington 16. Gisborne About Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand is the peak national membership association representing the road freight transport industry. Our members operate urban, rural and inter- regional commercial freight transport services throughout the country. Road is the dominant freight mode in New Zealand, transporting 92.8% of the freight task on a tonnage basis, and 75.1% on a tonne-km basis. The road freight transport industry employs over 34,000 people across more than 4700 businesses, with an annual turnover of $6 billion. About Teletrac Navman Teletrac Navman's goal is to empower the industries that transform and sustain our futures with simple and intelligent solutions that enhance the efficiency, safety, and sustainability of their operation. As a connected mobility platform for industries that manage vehicle and equipment assets, Teletrac Navman simplifies the complex so that its customers can transform the way they work through cloud-based solutions that leverage AI to unlock the power of operational insight. Teletrac Navman manages more than 700,000 vehicles and assets around the world. The company operates globally, with offices worldwide and headquarters in Northbrook IL. For more information visit Teletrac Navman is a Vontier company.
Scoop
07-05-2025
- Automotive
- Scoop
It's Good To Be A Truckie On The Coast
National road freight association Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand is partnering with Teletrac Navman to produce a detailed snapshot of the road transport sector. The report will be released at Transporting New Zealand's South Island Road Freight Seminar in Christchurch on 28 June. One of the early findings is that truck drivers on the West Coast of the South Island do well in comparison to the rest of New Zealand. "The latest Census data shows that the West Coast has the best-paid truck drivers in the country, followed by Southland and Waikato," says Transporting New Zealand's Policy and Advocacy Lead, Billy Clemens. "This varies according to the different regional freight tasks and demands. Our analysis will dig into that further." The upcoming report will analyse shifts in age, gender, income trends, and even home ownership across the 33,000-strong truck-driving workforce. It is the latest element of the Driving Change Diversity Programme, sponsored by fleet management solutions provider Teletrac Navman as part of that company's commitment to supporting workforce development in the transport sector. Clemens says having an evidence-based report of workforce trends will help road freight businesses with planning and building resilience. "We know that over 30,000 New Zealanders work as truck drivers - as at 2023, this figure was up to 33,744. However, we've been missing evidence-based insights into the number of women working in the industry, the age of the workforce, average hours worked, income, and other demographic trends. "Our Road Transport Workforce Snapshot will look at data from the past three censuses, along with other authoritative data sources, to paint a comprehensive picture. "This information will help ensure Transporting New Zealand and our members are prepared for changes in the workforce, help guide our policy and project priorities and will demonstrate the progress the road freight sector is making in workforce development." "Transporting New Zealand is incredibly grateful for Teletrac Navman's ongoing support of the Driving Change Diversity Programme and the Road Transport Workforce Report." Regional Rankings - Mean Truck Driver Income Across New Zealand (according to 2023 Census data) 1. West Coast 2. Southland 3. Waikato 4. Tasman 5. Marlborough 6. Manawatū-Whanganui 7. Canterbury 8. Otago 9. Taranaki 10. Bay of Plenty 11. Hawke's Bay 12. Auckland 13. Northland 14. Nelson 15. Wellington 16. Gisborne About Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand is the peak national membership association representing the road freight transport industry. Our members operate urban, rural and inter- regional commercial freight transport services throughout the country. Road is the dominant freight mode in New Zealand, transporting 92.8% of the freight task on a tonnage basis, and 75.1% on a tonne-km basis. The road freight transport industry employs over 34,000 people across more than 4700 businesses, with an annual turnover of $6 billion. About Teletrac Navman Teletrac Navman's goal is to empower the industries that transform and sustain our futures with simple and intelligent solutions that enhance the efficiency, safety, and sustainability of their operation. As a connected mobility platform for industries that manage vehicle and equipment assets, Teletrac Navman simplifies the complex so that its customers can transform the way they work through cloud-based solutions that leverage AI to unlock the power of operational insight. Teletrac Navman manages more than 700,000 vehicles and assets around the world. The company operates globally, with offices worldwide and headquarters in Northbrook IL. For more information visit Teletrac Navman is a Vontier company.
