Designed to increase driver understanding of potential challenges on the roads, VANSafe Queensland aims to ensure drivers are better equipped and informed to help improve safety on our roads.
VANSafe Queensland – an initiative of Caravanning Queensland in partnership with the Queensland Government – has been launched this week, just in time for the Easter holidays and one of the busiest travel periods on Queensland roads.
Established in response to the rapid rise of recreational vehicle ownership over the past few years, the FREE Caravan Safety Check Program will educate and support recreational vehicle owners with the information they need to tow confidently, safely and compliantly.
Open to all owners of caravans, campers and motorhomes, the educational program includes workshops, displays and masterclasses and is a safe zone for all who attend, meaning no fines or breaches will be issued. Attendees can also get their RV combination inspected and weighed for safety and compliance.
With 2.9 million overnight caravan and camping trips taken in Queensland for the year ending June 2022, it would appear that Queenslanders right across the state are hungry for this information.
Additional Google search trends over the past twelve months include:
- A 190% increase in searches around caravan safety (Qld)
- A 34% increase in searches around caravan weighting (Qld)
- A 60% increase in searches around caravan towing (Qld); and
- A 122% increase in searches relating to caravan payload (national)
The rise and rise of RV’ing in Queensland
Nowhere is the caravanning lifestyle more popular than in Queensland, with the highest number of registered recreational vehicles across the country (201,477), beating out the southern states of Victoria (185,507) and New South Wales (182,764) respectively.
In addition, total registrations of RVs have increased by over 20 per cent in the last five years in the Sunshine State, with an average of 2,333 new RVs on the road each month through 2022.
Jason Plant, CEO of Caravan Trade and Industries Association of Queensland comments that the data alone demonstrates the need for and importance of safety programs of this nature.
“While all RV owners and drivers have a responsibility to educate themselves on safe caravanning practices, the more we can do to support both new and seasoned drivers, the more confident they’ll become and the safer our roads will be.
“We’re proud to partner with the Queensland Government on this exciting new program which will see an additional fourteen events added to our existing safety program in locations spanning as far south as Logan to as far north as Cairns.
Safety programs to save lives
According to the Department of Transport and Main Roads Land Transport, Safety and Regulation there were 297 lives lost on Queensland roads last year, the highest number in over a decade.
Transport and Main Roads Land Transport, Safety and Regulation Acting General Manager Joanna Robinson says that she’s dedicated to supporting initiatives which improve road safety.
“Queensland’s roads can take us to some incredible places to see all our state has to offer, and caravanning is a great way to travel.
“The rising popularity of these types of vehicles indicates we have more drivers on our roads who are either new to caravanning or who might have returned to it after some time away, so they may not be used to handling a longer and heavier vehicle.
“It’s important that drivers who are inexperienced in manoeuvring such large vehicles can do so safely to avoid becoming a danger to themselves or other vehicles.
“We are very happy to support the work being done by Caravanning Queensland to promote safe travelling around the state. I encourage RV drivers and passengers to seek out the tools and resources available to ensure they have a safe trip,” she concludes.
The first VANSafe event will take place in Maryborough from April 21-23. For more information on the full program or to make a VanSafe booking click here.
About Caravanning Queensland
Caravanning Queensland is the peak industry body for caravan dealers, manufacturers, camping suppliers, service providers and caravan park operators through two related associations. These are the Caravan Trade & Industries Association of Queensland and the Caravan Parks Association of Queensland Inc.
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