Heavy vehicle drivers are often the first on scene at road crashes in rural and remote locations, and a new program is supporting them to provide critical assistance until emergency responders arrive.
The program was developed in collaboration with Griffith University, the Queensland Trucking Association (QTA), the Queensland Motor Accident Insurance Commission (MAIC), the Queensland Police Service, St John’s Ambulance and the heavy vehicle transport industry.
The program provided heavy vehicle drivers with advice on securing a crash scene, delivering relevant first aid, and vital self-care after the event.
First-on-Scene lead researcher Associate Professor Darren Wishart from the School of Applied Psychology said training heavy vehicle drivers in first aid and crash scene management had the potential to make significant positive changes to the outcomes of road crashes.
“The arrival of emergency services to crash scenes in regional and remote locations can be delayed due to distance, and the application of crash scene management and first aid prior to the arrival of emergency services can be the difference between life and death in a road crash,” Professor Wishart said.
“The program provided essential knowledge and skills to empower heavy vehicle drivers to secure a crash scene and apply first aid where possible.
“This initiative supports the wellbeing of people working in the heavy vehicle industry, it addresses the wellbeing of drivers on our regional roads, and it also provides support to emergency responders.
“The First-on-Scene pilot program has been a great success and the feedback from participants was very positive.
“Many participants had previously been the first to arrive at a road crash and some reported they didn’t feel they had the skills to manage a crash scene or apply first aid, and some experienced trauma from the event.
“Following the program, many heavy vehicle drivers said they had the knowledge, skills and confidence to stop at a crash scene and manage the risks.”
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Darren Wishart
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