Leading waste truck supplier Volvo has enlisted one of Australia’s most successful waste management companies to implement its new Stop, Look, Wave child safety campaign.
Volvo held the Australian launch of the new program targeting the country’s youngest pedestrians at the Waste Management In Action expo in Melbourne last Thursday (5 May).
The company invited a group of pupils from the Glen Iris Primary School to its display area to share the Stop, Look, Wave message and give them a practical demonstration of how it can work on the Test Track.
This campaign is being rolled out nationally ahead of a boom in the number of trucks on the road. This aims to protect young pedestrians ahead of a predicted increase in the number of trucks on the road in the country. Bureau of Statistics data shows there are more than 560,000 rigid and articulated vehicles, which is forecast to double by 2030 and triple by 2050.
Volvo Group Global Safety Director Carl Johan Almqvist said more traffic means a greater risk to children in particular. “It’s especially difficult for truck drivers to see quick-moving little people which is why we’re rolling out this free education campaign to teach Aussie kids to STOP on the side of the road, LOOK both ways, and WAVE at the truck driver before they cross,” Mr Johan said. “We don’t want children to be afraid of trucks but their attention is limited, so we need to teach them this simple tip for crossing safely.”
Toxfree trucks will be visiting schools across the country to give students a look at the view from behind the wheel so they become aware of what a driver can see.
Toxfree’s Executive General Manager of Corporate and Risk, Jason Dixon, said 717 drivers would be educated to wave back to kids.
“Thousands of waste and recycling trucks are on the streets every day and a lot of them are out in the morning when children are heading to school. As safety is a top priority for our drivers, they will enjoy being part of this children’s safety initiative.
“Our drivers are always conscious of their surroundings, and we want them to let the children know that they have gained their attention by waving back to them.”
Stop, Look, Wave tool kits are now freely available for any school or childcare centre to download from the Volvo website
Glen Iris Primary School pupils learning Volvo’s Stop, Look, Wave mantra.