Heavy vehicle drivers travelling through the Upper Hunter now have 10 new areas to stop and rest, with the Minns Labor Government delivering additional green reflector sites to help tackle driver fatigue and improve road safety.
The new reflector sites have been installed along sections of the Golden Highway and New England Highway, making it easier for truck drivers to locate suitable stopping locations, particularly helpful at night or when visibility is poor.
The latest sites are located at:
- Golden Highway: 6 kilometres east of Denman
- Golden Highway: 4 kilometres east of Mount Thorley
- Golden Highway: 10 kilometres east of Warkworth
- New England Highway: 6 kilometres west of Ardglen
- New England Highway at Liddell
- New England Highway: 14 kilometres west of Liddell
- New England Highway: 18 kilometres west of Liddell
- New England Highway: 4 kilometres east of Muswellbrook
- New England Highway: 3 kilometres north of Wingen
- New England Highway: 1 kilometre south of Murulla
The rollout builds on the installation of 14 green reflector sites across southern NSW last year and forms part of the Minns Labor Government’s commitment to improving safety and rest opportunities for heavy vehicle operators across the state.
The green reflector markers are installed on roadside guideposts at the approach to informal heavy vehicle rest areas, providing drivers with a simple visual cue that a safe place to pull over is nearby.
By helping drivers more easily identify suitable locations to stop, rest, sleep or check their loads, the initiative supports fatigue management and safer freight movements on some of NSW’s busiest regional transport corridors.
The work is being delivered through the NSW Government’s $11.9 million Heavy Vehicle Rest Stop Minor Works Program, which is upgrading rest areas across the state through improved lighting, pedestrian safety measures, signage and amenities.
The NSW Government will continue working closely with industry to identify further opportunities for new reflector sites and improvements to heavy vehicle rest areas across the state.
For more information on Heavy Vehicle Rest Stopping Improvements, visit www.transport.nsw.gov.au/hvrsimprovements
Quotes attributable to Minister for the Hunter, Yasmin Catley:
“Driver fatigue remains one of the biggest killers on our roads and the reality is that too many people push on when they should be pulling over.
“A 15-minute power nap or rest break could be the difference between arriving safely or never making it to your destination. Fatigue can be just as deadly as speeding or drink driving.
“We want every person travelling through the Hunter to get home safely. By creating more opportunities for heavy vehicle drivers to stop, rest and reset, we’re helping reduce the risk of tragic and entirely preventable crashes.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Roads and Regional Transport, Jenny Aitchison:
“As the local Member for Maitland, I know how important the Golden and New England Highways are for freight movements through the Hunter, and these improvements will help support safer journeys for truck drivers and all road users.
“These green reflector sites are a simple but effective initiative that makes it easier for drivers to identify suitable rest areas, particularly at night or in poor visibility conditions.
“Not only do they make it easier for drivers to rest, recharge and comply with fatigue management regulations, but they also ensure everyone can get home safely to their families at the end of a long day at work.
“This rollout builds on the work already underway through the Minns Labor Government’s $11.9 million Heavy Vehicle Rest Stop Minor Works Program, which is delivering practical safety upgrades across the state.”
Quotes attributable to Labor spokesperson for the Upper Hunter, Emily Suvaal MLC:
“Heavy vehicle drivers keep our economy moving, and it’s vital they have safe and accessible places to stop and manage fatigue while travelling on our regional road network.
“The Minns Labor Government is delivering practical investments that improve safety and support regional communities, and this project is a great example of that commitment.
“By making it easier for heavy vehicle drivers to find safe places to stop and rest, we’re helping reduce fatigue risks on some of the Hunter’s most important freight routes.
“Whether it’s major infrastructure upgrades or targeted initiatives like these reflector sites, we’re committed to making regional roads safer.”
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