NZI’s team of Fleet Fit managers know that when driving is your job, safety on the road is top of mind on a daily basis. That’s why, for the third year running, they hit the road again to support truckies to take a break at the popular NZI Truckie Rest Zones. 

The first NZI Truckie Rest Zone events of 2024 were held at the Picton and Wellington Interislander Ferry Terminals, in March.  Lots of truckies stopped in to have a bite to eat and chat to the team of professionals on hand about driver fatigue - a major cause of road accidents.

“It was great to see so many truckies engage in conversations about how to manage driver fatigue and share their stories,” says NZI Community Event Manager, Gary Rennie.

Drivers enjoyed hot food off the BBQ, barista coffees, giveaways such as drink bottles and first aid kits, and took healthy snacks for the road. 

For this event series, supporters Hato Hone St John and Wellington Free Ambulance were also on hand offering health checks and CPR training. Truckies can find it challenging making healthcare appointments amongst sporadic and long shifts on the road, so the free health checks give drivers the opportunity learn about ways they can stay well while completing long journeys.

“We started the NZI Truckie Rest Zones in July 2022 and have since completed 11 events across New Zealand, with the Paengaroa event on Thursday 2 May, being number 12.

“Importantly, these events give truck drivers the opportunity to learn more about the issue of fatigue from professionals who want to make sure all truckies get home safely to their families,” says Gary.

In addition to the five events held in Picton, Wellington and Paengaroa, four more are planned around the country from August to December. 

The NZI Fleet Fit team is also looking forward to Road Safety Week, May 20 - 26, and will be heading to Whangārei to take part in the Road Safety Heroes relay and help spread road safety awareness. 

About Fleet Fit

The NZI Truckie Rest Zones are just one part of the market-leading Fleet Fit programme from NZI which aims to work like insurance before a crash; by using data, analytics, and targeted training to reduce the risk of something going wrong behind the wheel.

If you are responsible for a fleet and want to know more about keeping your drivers safe, you can book a free Fleet Fit review with an NZI Fleet Risk specialist here.