Think.Act.Drive aims to boost driver safety and reduce heavy vehicle incidents

The Queensland Trucking Association (QTA) has launched Think.Act.Drive, a free, industry led online program built to tackle the behaviours that influence truck drivers’ decisions on the road.

Designed as a series of short, scenario based quizzes, the initiative aims to improve safety outcomes by encouraging self reflection and reinforcing safer choices that reduce the risk of heavy vehicle incidents.

Accessible 24/7 at thinkactdrive.com.au, Think.Act.Drive delivers bite sized modules that fit into drivers’ routines and operator training programs.

Each module presents realistic, everyday driving scenarios – dealing with other motorists, managing distractions, choosing appropriate speeds and maintaining safe following distances – and prompts drivers to reflect on how their reactions shape outcomes. The program’s format is intentionally simple and practical: quick interactive quizzes, clear explanations of safer options, and repeatable content to support lasting behaviour change.

“Think.Act.Drive is a program for truck drivers to highlight how reactions to everyday experiences can impact the decisions they make on the road,” said Gary Mahon, Chief Executive Officer of the QTA.

“We know that we can’t control other road users’ behaviours or decisions, so it’s critical we give our truck drivers the best possible knowledge and tools to keep themselves safe. This program is about recognising behaviour, not blame. It’s about understanding those moments that may influence driving choices and being able to make safer decisions in real time.”

The program aligns with key findings from the 2025 National Transport Accident Research Centre (NTARC)/National Road Safety Partnership Program (NRSPP) report, which identifies human factors as the leading cause of major heavy vehicle crashes. That research singles out inattention and distraction, inadequate following distance and inappropriate speed as primary contributory behaviours – precisely the areas targeted by Think.Act.Drive’s modules.

Funded through the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator’s Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiative and supported by the Australian Government, Think.Act.Drive offers a credible, low cost tool for operators and drivers across Australia. Its online delivery removes barriers to access, enabling single drivers and large fleets alike to integrate the quizzes into toolbox talks, induction programs and ongoing professional development.

Practical by design, the quizzes use direct language and scenario outcomes to show why specific choices matter. The repeatable nature of the learning encourages drivers to move beyond awareness to adoption of safer habits. For operators looking to strengthen safety culture, the program provides a ready made resource to prompt discussion, identify risky behaviours and measure engagement over time.

QTA urges operators and drivers to try the free modules and make Think.Act.Drive part of their routine safety toolkit. “I encourage every operator and driver to try the free quizzes at thinkactdrive.com.au – safer habits start with a single choice,” Mahon said.

In an industry where split second decisions can determine outcomes for drivers and other road users, initiatives that focus on human factors and practical decision making are vital. By combining evidence based priorities with easily accessible training, Think.Act.Drive aims to contribute to fewer incidents, safer drivers and stronger safety cultures across the heavy vehicle sector.

For more information and to access the quiz modules, visit thinkactdrive.com.au.

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Truck driver killed in single-vehicle crash on Pacific Motorway

A truck driver has died following a single-vehicle crash on the M1 Pacific Motorway on the NSW Central Coast earlier today.

Emergency services were called to the Somersby section of the motorway at about 6.40am following reports a semi-trailer had crashed into a guard rail.

Fire and Rescue NSW worked to extinguish a fire after fuel had spilled on the road and caught alight.

The male driver was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics; however, he died at the scene.

NSW Police said he is yet to be formally identified.

Emergency services were called to the Somersby section of the motorway at about 6.40am. Image: TfNSW

Officers attached to Central Coast Traffic and Highway Patrol have commenced an investigation into the incident and a report will be prepared for the Coroner.

As inquiries continue, anyone with information or dashcam footage is urged to contact police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Just prior to 9am today, two of three southbound lanes were closed and drivers were told to expect significant delays.

Light vehicles can consider using the Pacific Highway from Ourimbah to Gosford and then Central Coast Highway to rejoin the M1 Pacific Motorway at Kariong.

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The making of a fleet that turns heads

Most long-term industry relationships don’t begin with a plan. They begin with one truck. For Compas Transport, that truck was a brand new Kenworth T909 at the end of 2023.

Purchased through Force Enterprises, it already sported Armoury Wheels and Armoury Stainless accessories, but Colin and Marisa Pasquale wanted to take it further. They liked the existing stainless and brought the truck back to add more and finish it the way they had pictured.

That build led to a bigger conversation. Compas had a group of new T610 SARs on order and wanted them presented consistently from the start.

A T659 that Armoury blinged up for Compas. Image: Armoury Group

Rather than identical trucks, the goal was a fleet that shared a clear identity while still belonging to the drivers operating them. Each T610 SAR followed the same overall direction, with unique colours and accessories so the truck matched the person behind the wheel. The trucks sat together as one fleet without looking like copies of each other. When drivers feel connected to the truck, they look after it as their own, and customers notice the difference.

From there on, the relationship continued naturally, with further trucks added over time. Fourteen completed and counting, each one fitting into the same standard established by that first group.

The projects worked because both sides wanted the same thing from the trucks. Compas runs general freight, refrigerated and interstate work out of Newcastle, and their equipment spends its life moving. The trucks have to present properly but also stay practical day after day. The aim isn’t decoration, it’s pride in a working fleet of trucks.

Compas had a trailer curtain made up to thank their key suppliers, including Armoury Group. Image: Armoury Group

That shared approach made decisions straightforward. The focus stayed on durability, finish and consistency, and the result is a fleet that turns heads.

We appreciate Colin and Marisa’s continued support and the way Compas approaches their builds. Clear expectations, and mutual trust keep projects moving, and the outcome is a lineup that represents both the company and the drivers operating it.

What started as one truck has become a standard the whole fleet now carries.

For more information on Armoury Group, call 1300 005 576 or visit armourygroup.com.au.

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#PicOfTheDay – Tom Charlton

A great photo, snapped at the Port of Brisbane.

We’ll choose a pic to appear in our Facebook cover slot, and will publish some of the best pics in our upcoming print edition of Big Rigs where you now also have a chance to win a $500 Shell Coles Express Gift Card.

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New T909 is a special tribute to much loved truckie

When his driver and dear friend Alan ‘Red Rock’ Kimlin passed away in May 2025 at the age of just 62, David Morgan knew he had to do something special in his honour.

David Morgan runs Townsville based Morgan Transport Group (MTG), a business he started in 1999. His fleet of around 80 trucks can be seen travelling across Queensland, as well as into Sydney and Darwin.

Alan drove road trains from Townsville to the Tanami for MTG. Image: Leone Lovegrove

Alan was originally from Kingaroy in Queensland but spent much of his childhood and early adult years in Alice Springs, hence the nickname ‘Red Rock’. He moved to Townsville in 1993.

Alan was a fitter and turner by trade but spent most of his career working in transport – both as a driver and in various management roles. Though as his wife Leone Lovegrove revealed, “He always loved truck driving. He loved the industry and just loved his trucks,” she said.

“Alan was one of five brothers, all of whom have held MC licences and have worked, or are still working as truck drivers. When he was a young fella, he went to live with his Aunty June and Uncle Ray in Kingaroy, Queensland. His uncle was driving trucks as well as managing the family farm. So that may have been where his love of trucks started out,” Leone added.

“Alan got his truck licence quite young. He drove into town with his aunty in an old farm truck that was loaded with peanuts and the officer said, ‘If you can drive that truck, you can drive anything!’

“He never liked driving along the east coast, so he would avoid those runs. He loved being able to go back to the Territory in the truck.”

Leone says she was blown away by the beautiful tribute to her late husband Alan. Image: Leone Lovegrove

David says he had known Alan for over 20 years. “Alan managed the Ascot’s Transport depot in Townsville, as their North Queensland Manager, so that’s when I met him. Then about six or seven years ago, he came to work for us as an Operations Manager,” explained David.

“Alan did that role for about four years but wanted to get back out on the road, so he started driving for us, doing road trains to the Tanami.

“Alan was just a really great bloke. He was very knowledgeable and great at what he did – no matter what he did – because he was a jack of all trades.”

Alan was still doing that same run out to the Tanami when he received devastating health news. As Leone explained, “Alan was diagnosed with metastatic lung cancer – and he was a non-smoker. He died only five and a half months later. It was very sudden.”

What was also shocking was the lack of noticeable symptoms. “Alan had lost some weight but we put that down to the fact that he had been working hard. He was driving trucks over to the Tanami and really enjoying it. Then he developed this hoarse voice and that’s what led him to get checked.”

It was while at Alan’s funeral that David decided on the perfect name for a truck that would honour his mate. As he explained, “A lot of my trucks are named after songs by Tom Petty, because I listen to his music a lot. Alan’s memorial service concluded with the song ‘Learning to Fly’ by Tom Petty. I decided there and then that I wanted to do a tribute truck for Alan and it seemed fitting to name the truck ‘Learning to Fly’. I ordered the truck that same afternoon.”

The new tribute truck is named ‘Learning to Fly’. Image: Brown and Hurley

With about half of the fleet already being Kenworths, David decided on a T909 with a 50-inch low-line bunk. “It’s more of an older, traditional look. None of my other trucks look like this one. I went with an older paint scheme that was common in America in the 1970s and 1980s. The truck is 18-speed, road train rated and has a 605hp Cummins engine.”

On the back of the truck are the words:

‘Learning to fly’

In loving memory

Alan ‘Red Rock’ Kimlin

30.7.62 – 12.5.25

And beneath that, the opening lyrics to the song: “Started out down a dirty road. Started out all alone.”

David is over the moon with how well the truck has turned out. “We had it painted locally at NQ Truck Bake. Rod Northey did all the sign writing and we did all of the stainless work in-house here,” he said.

Kept tightly under wraps, the truck was handed over on Saturday November 1.

“We kept the truck a secret. I let his family and friends know we wanted to do something special and to come down to Brown and Hurley at Townsville,” said David.

The special truck was kept tightly under wraps before being unveiled to Alan’s family and friends last November. Image: Brown and Hurley

Alan’s wife Leone, his kids, grandkids and other family members and close friends were there as the truck was unveiled.

When Leone got the phone call from David to say something was happening that weekend, she admits she went out to the dealership with no idea what to expect – but was blown away when she saw the tribute truck for her late husband Alan.

“It was really beautiful,” she said. “Alan would have been so humbled by it. I think it’s reflective of the person that he was and the respect people had for him.

“He also had a lot of respect for David and Kelly Morgan. He worked with them both over a number of years and really had a lot of respect for them as professionals in the industry, and also as people.”

‘Learning to Fly’ has been hard at work since joining the MTG fleet. Image: MTG

Speaking of the truck’s unveiling, David added, “There were a lot of tears and a lot of laughter, a whole range of emotions. I had a few tears myself.

“It’s funny that you don’t ever hear that song ‘Learning to Fly’ on the radio, and we actually heard it play on commercial radio right as we were leaving the dealership.

“Alan’s family were very impressed with the truck. They loved it and were so appreciative.”

The fourth T909 in the MTG fleet, Learning to Fly was put straight to work the very next day, carrying underground mining equipment to Mt Isa.

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Volvo FM punches above its weight

Not everyone wants or needs the biggest truck in a manufacturer’s lineup. Indeed, sometimes it’s wiser to look at something a little more economical and budget-friendly in the stable.

Volvo has myriad models in its lineup, and due to the local manufacturing, most can be tweaked to meet an operator’s particular specifications.

Sitting just below the big FH range is the FM, a very versatile truck that can be had in either prime-mover or rigid forms with axle configurations of 4×2 or 6×4 in prime mover form, or 4×2, 6×4 or 8×4 in a rigid truck.

The FM range can be powered by either the Volvo D11 or D13 engines with a horsepower range from 380 to 460hp for the 11-litre or 460 to 500hp for the 13-litre engine. Torque is very impressive, ranging from 1800Nm for the 380hp engine right up to 2500Nm for the 13-litre 500hp version.

There is also an electric version on offer from Volvo which is rated at 666hp and 2400Nm of torque, but that’s a story on its own.

The truck we’ll focus on in this feature and the one that we spent some quality time with in and around Brisbane, is a 6×4 prime mover with a Day Cab, 11-litre Euro 6 engine rated at 460hp and 12-speed I-Shift transmission. The truck was hauling a single, loaded tri-axle trailer with a GCM of just under 40 tonnes.

Why Volvo FM

In prime-mover form, the versatile Volvo FM can be rated to 60 tonnes with the 11-litre engine or as much as 90 tonnes with the 13-litre engine. That’s good enough for B-double work.

Also, it’s agile and manageable around town. The cab is low, with just two steps up to the driver’s perch – great for getting in and out multiple times a day.

However, just because it’s a bit smaller and lower than its big brother, the FH, it doesn’t scrimp on features or comfort for the driver. As I parked myself in the plush Volvo suspension seat, I found the layout instantly recognisable. The big wrap-around dash with its sensible layout was pretty much how I remembered the last FH I drove.

You’ve got all the driver-support and safety systems on the left, the HVAC pretty much in front and the big digital gauges are concise and easy to see. Our test truck was fitted with the Camera Monitoring System which replaces mirrors with cameras and screens on the A-pillars.

Personally, I like this system for single-trailer setups. It’s very easy to get used to and provides excellent vision day or night and even in the rain. It increases peripheral vision because you don’t have big mirrors on the outside, and you don’t have to look as far to the right or left to get a good view of what’s behind.

And speaking of vision, the view from the driver’s seat is fantastic. The big, deep windscreen offers a great view ahead and the low-slung stance of the FM makes it easy to manoeuvre in the city.

The view from the driver’s seat is fantastic.

Cab options

As stated, our test truck was a Day Cab which is great cab for around town or limited country work, but Volvo offers a wide range of cabs for the FM including a sleeper cab which would be great for those overnight intrastate trips, or even the big Globetrotter cab that turns the FM into a true linehaul truck.

The Globetrotter cab offers masses of storage, accommodation for up to two people and full-height standing room on the flat floor.

Interestingly, even with the Globetrotter Cab, the FM still has that low-slung stance with the two-step entry and exit.

On the road

We picked up our test truck at Volvo’s big facility at Wacol on the outskirts or Brisbane with the intention of spending a day with the truck doing what a truck of this spec would do on a typical day. A trip down to the docks, a rumble through the city, a bit of motorway work and then back to base.

At 40 tonnes, this 460hp 11-litre is in its element. It really feels like a bigger engine. The 2200Nm of torque hauls the load easily and the 12-speed I-Shift transmission is smooth and unfussed.

The FM has a three-position engine brake on the right-hand side of the steering column and it has a button on the end that, when pushed gives maximum braking with downshifts. Driven sedately using this, the driver barely needs to use the service brakes. It’s a great system that saves on brakes for both your prime mover and your trailers.

Our Volvo FM was fitted with the company’s new Volvo Dynamic Steering (VDS) which is an electrically-operated system that provides extra steering boost to the hydraulic system. It makes the steering easier and more precise leading to fewer driver inputs. Basically, it makes the truck easier to handle and more direct to drive.

The trucks also had Pilot Assist which is enabled by the VDS. It uses the truck’s camera to read lane markings and provides drivers with continuous active steering support to keep course and stay in its lane. This results in more proactive support, designed for a safer and more relaxed drive.

The system isn’t fully-autonomous and requires the driver to keep hands on the steering wheel, but it certainly adds to the safety and efficiency of the truck. It is enabled using the adaptive cruise control and is basically another step up in the cruise control menu.

The Volvo FM is just brimming with safety and driver assist programs and these include Lane Keeping Assist, Stability Assist, Intelligent Speed Assist, Downhill Cruise Control, Active Emergency Braking, Driver Alert Support, tyre pressure monitoring and more.

Add this to all the regular safety systems on all Volvo trucks and you really do have one of the safest trucks on the road.

But it’s also one of the easiest to drive. I had a ball driving the FM. It is so easy to get used to and very easy to place exactly where you want it on the road. And the big horsepower and torque make short work of the load.

On the hills, there is really no reason to switch from full auto in the transmission. I found that if I wanted a lower gear on a hill, it was simply a matter of pushing past the détente on the accelerator and it would almost instantly give me another cog.

Driver comfort is up with the best of the Euro trucks which are renowned for being driver focused. The seat is up there with the best in the business, and the steering column is multi-adjustable so you can get a comfortable driving position no matter what size you are.

Over the course of our day with the Volvo FM, we drove through city, suburban and port traffic with a bit of motorway thrown in.

Checking the telematics data at the end of the drive we clocked 2.41km/litre which, at 40 tonnes, isn’t too shabby.

If you are looking for a truck to slot into your fleet that can fill a number of rolls – from urban delivery to intra- or even interstate runs, the Volvo FM is well worth a test drive. You may be pleasantly surprised.

The truck was fitted with the Camera Monitoring System.

New Safety Zones speed limiting

Our Volvo FM 11 460 was fitted with Volvo’s new Safety Zones feature that can speed-limit trucks in specified areas.

For example, if you want to limit your trucks to 25km/h in your yard, you can specify that area and the truck will not exceed 25km/h in that zone.

Similarly, if you want to limit a truck to, say, 50km/h on a certain section of road, then you can specify that piece of road, set the limit, and even if the cruise control is on, the truck will not exceed 50km/h. In fact, the Safety Zone will override the cruise control and reset it to the requested speed.

The Safety Zone is programmed by the fleet manager using Volvo Connect and whole areas, like dock precincts, school zones and the like can be geofenced limiting the speed of the truck in that area.

If a driver knows of a certain dangerous curve or an area that has a safety risk or even a speed camera, that area can be pinpointed and speed limited.

When entering an area determined by Safety Zones, the driver receives information in the instrument cluster, the truck will not exceed the speed limity, then he or she is alerted when leaving the Safety Zone and the truck will resume normal operation.

Customised speed limits can be set between 20 to100km/h, and the manager can set up different zones for individual vehicles.

We tried this on a pre-set piece of road and it worked a treat, as we entered the zone, a warning came up on the screen and the truck slowed to the designated speed, the truck would then not exceed that speed.

The system can be overridden by the driver but if this is done, the events are presented in the Volvo Connect Map and in the Tracking Report with position and timestamps.

We reckon it’s a great idea that benefits drivers and businesses as well as the general public.

We understand that it comes free of charge if you have a Service Agreement with Volvo, or it costs a nominal monthly fee if you don’t.

The test truck was hauling a single, loaded tri-axle trailer.

Quick specs

Volvo FM 11 460

Engine: Volvo D11K six-cylinder, turbo-diesel

Power: 460hp at 1700-1800rpm

Torque: 2200Nm at 1050-1400rpm

Transmission: 12-speed I-Shift auto

Configuration: 6×4

Emissions: Euro 6

GCM: 60 tonnes

Cab: Day cab

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Truckie fined $1747 and loses licence for three months after SA intercept

A truckie carting grain on the Lower Eyre Peninsula in South Australia has lost his licence after testing positive to drugs earlier this week.

Port Lincoln Police allegedly detected the full-laden road train travelling on Western Approach Road at Duck Ponds at 108km/h about 10.30am on Tuesday, February 24.  Police said road trains are limited to 90km/h on this road.

Police said the driver, a 55-year-old Eyre Peninsula man, tested positive to methamphetamine and cannabis.

He was issued with an expiation notice for speeding and heavy vehicle offences, totalling $1747.

He was also issued with a three-month instant loss of licence, and the sample was sent for forensic testing.

The prime mover was defected for non-compliant speed limiter and police said further action may be taken against the owner of the truck.

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NSW extends camera detection capabilities

Changes to New South Wales’ camera detection program will take place on Sunday 1 March.

Ten transportable mobile phone and seatbelt detection cameras will now operate to their full capability of bi-directional coverage on single lane roads.

Until now, they only checked up to two lanes of traffic travelling in one direction.

Transport for NSW Secretary, Josh Murray, said there will be no new cameras operating on the network.

Extending the existing units’ capability will help meet the increase in the number of registered vehicles on the roads since the program started in 2019.

“When we switched on mobile phone detection cameras almost seven years ago, the target was to be able to check each registered vehicle in NSW an average of at least 20 times a year,” Murray said.

“Since then, the number of registered vehicles in NSW has jumped almost 12 per cent, from 6.7 million to 7.5 million.

“At the same time, the mobile phone camera program has made a significant impact in the road safety space, with seatbelt offences added in 2024.”

The expansion of the transportable cameras begins in March and will take six months to roll out.

Fixed mobile phone and seatbelt cameras will not change.

According to Transport for NSW, all fines will go towards funding more road safety programs.

“We know lives have been saved as people change their behaviours in response to awareness and education with seatbelt use and distractions through phone use featuring as key contributors to the road toll,” Murray said.

“We need to ensure our program continues to check the appropriate number of vehicles, and we use our technology to its full effect.”

In other news, Total Logistic Solutions has announced the opening of a new facility in Adelaide, South Australia.

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No two weeks look the same for this truckie

Based in Benalla in north-east Victoria, Mick Strobel has been driving trucks for around three and a half years and is steadily building industry experience.

Most recently he’s been driving for Zuydam Transport, a local family-owned operator, doing a wide mix of work.

Like many drivers, Mick’s interest in trucking started young. He was always fascinated by big trucks and machinery, with his dad spending time around trucks and an uncle working at Kenworth. That early exposure stuck, and eventually he decided to get behind the wheel himself.

These days, no two weeks look the same. Mick mainly hauls full loads, but the freight varies widely, one day it might be concrete pipes or shipping containers, the next he could be helping move equipment as part of a road crew setting up for concerts or events.

The variety is something he enjoys, along with seeing new places and meeting people across the industry.

One of the toughest parts of trucking, he says, is simply getting a start and finding employers who genuinely look after their equipment and their drivers, something that can take time when you’re new to the game.

Most of Mick’s driving so far has been along the Hume Highway, a run he’s come to know well, and he says there’s plenty of good scenery once you get further north.

When it’s time to pull up, he rates a few stops around Gundagai, particularly the BP, which he says is always a reliable place for a decent meal.

What keeps him coming back to trucking is the sense of freedom. Compared to factory or warehouse work, being on the road feels different and less repetitive, more open, and more rewarding.

Looking ahead, Mick hopes to keep learning from experienced drivers around him and eventually step up into doubles and road trains as his experience grows.

When asked about industry concerns, Mick points to the increasing pressure on operators. Customers want freight delivered faster and cheaper, often below sustainable rates, and that pressure flows down through the chain.

He believes it contributes to companies struggling to stay profitable and, at times, to accidents when people are pushed too hard.

His advice for new drivers is straightforward: don’t assume you know everything. Be willing to listen, take constructive criticism, and learn from drivers who’ve been around the block.

Outside of work, Mick enjoys tinkering with cars and motorcycles, in fact, anything with an engine tends to grab his attention. Like many truckies, he’s happiest when he’s building, fixing, or driving something mechanical.

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Total Logistic Solutions opens new SA facility

Total Logistic Solutions (TLS) has announced the opening of a new facility in Adelaide, South Australia.

The new location is a modern and purpose-built site designed to support TLS’ continued growth.

It significantly strengthens TLS’ footprint in SA and enhances its operational capability across the state.

“TLS is now operating from our new purpose-built facility in Adelaide,” TLS said.

“A big thank you to Sagle Constructions, Daniel Lees and the entire project team for delivering an outstanding building.

“The quality, functionality and finish of this site reflect the professionalism and commitment shown throughout the entire build.”

In other news, the NHVR is updating the Performance-Based Standards Directional Stability Under Braking  standard to modernise braking requirements and improve safety outcomes.

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