Sharing the Load – Experienced Truck Drivers Sharing Insights to Navigate Notorious SA Road

Truck drivers now have access to a new resource to help navigate one of South Australia’s most notorious steep descent roads – the South Eastern Freeway descent in the Adelaide Hills.

The instructional video, developed via the National Truck Accident Research Centre (NTARC) partnership, uses driver experiences and the first-hand perspective of a seasoned truck driver to pass on know-how about road conditions, weather and potential hazards.

Ricky Vatsinaris from Collins Transport, a stalwart of the transport industry, has narrated the safety video, sharing his skills from 20 years as a truck driver. Ricky shows a driver’s perspective in a Kenworth K220 pulling a B-double trailer.

“So much of our job in safely transporting goods around Australia depends on years of experience learning the ins and outs of each section of a highway and especially about steep hills,” Mr Vatsinaris said.

“I’ve driven this road more times than I can count. I understand the importance of planning ahead, keeping an eye on the conditions, and using the safety ramps if needed. 

“I’m glad to share my experience to help other drivers who are new to the road and to help every descent be a safer one.”

The video shares tips about the changing gradient of the road, the last point for safely stopping prior to the descent and how to navigate a complex exit at traffic lights for a busy Adelaide intersection at Portrush Road.

South Australian Road Transport Association (SARTA) President Sharon Middleton said the video was an important additional tool for an industry that prioritises safety above all else.

“The heavy vehicle and road transport sector wants to ensure everyone completes their trips safely, from our truck drivers to all other road users,” Ms Middleton said.

“We welcome every additional tool that helps drivers share their skills and experience with each other.”

The video is the third of its kind to pass on potentially life-saving information to truck drivers making their way down hazardous or challenging hill descents. Other videos have already been released covering the Koetong to Bullioh descent on the Murray Valley Highway east of Wodonga and Powers Hill on the Hyland Highway in Gippsland. 

NTI’s Transport Research Manager, Adam Gibson said the growing library of safety videos would continue to help truck drivers, including those new to the industry who haven’t driven a particular hazardous road before and those drivers who wanted a refresher on the unique conditions across different parts of Australia.

“Our videos are short, sharp and authentic. We use real life truck drivers to demonstrate how to safely complete a steep descent from their own perspective and in this case in Ricky’s own words,” Mr Gibson said.

“The videos use aerial and road-side vision to help illustrate driving conditions such as merging lanes, safety signage and weather hazards including fog.”

In addition to the three location specific videos, a general safety video is also available and planning for more steep descents videos is underway.

See the South Eastern Freeway safety video and more resources.