LOAD RESTRAINT KNOWLEDGE IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Local farmers, contract harvesters, couriers and transport operators are being encouraged to test their knowledge in a newly released online load restraint quiz for a chance to win $500 worth of load restraint equipment.

The quiz is the first strategy of Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Councils' Load Restraint Education Project which was launched at a property on the outskirts of Forbes last week by Deputy Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack.

The project has been funded through the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator’s 2020 Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiative, which is supported by the Federal Government.

The Councils' Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer, Melanie Suitor, said that the project will be targeting the safe transportation of hay bales, machinery and general freight.

The safe carriage of loads affect us all.  It is vital for both the producer and consumer but also for other road users.

"This project was developed to assist the transport industry and local farmers in gaining a better understanding of the fundamentals of load restraint.  We'd also like to see a reduction in the number of load restraint breaches and incidents that are occurring on local roads.

"The quiz will measure the current level of load restraint knowledge before we implement the various educational strategies," Ms Suitor said.

The seven-question quiz can be accessed by using this link: https://forms.office.com/r/5BVtDjjdj9 and will be open until Wednesday 19 May 2021.  You can also find the quiz link on the Councils' Facebook pages.

"Thanks to our project partners - NSW Police, NSW Farmers and Transport for NSW - for their assistance in planning and developing the quiz and the other project strategies," Ms Suitor said.

P 02 6861 2364 M 0428 400 627 F 02 6862 3946 E [email protected] W www.parkes.nsw.gov.au 2 Cecile Street Parkes NSW 2870