The Nationals Senator for New South Wales John Williams won't be returning to Canberra by air this Sunday – he will make the trip in the cab of a truck.

Senator Williams, a former truckie, will make the trip in a Kenworth T409 prime mover and semi-trailer with the Chief Executive of the Australian Trucking Association Stuart St. Clair.

He said the trip is an opportunity to see the road and other drivers from a truck driver's point of view.

"Many people worry about trucks when they're out on the road, but most crashes between cars and trucks are caused by car drivers. On the highway, it is vitally important to watch your speed and take regular breaks.

Trucks like the Kenworth that I will be riding in, and driving for a short time, are speed limited at 100 kilometres an hour. They obviously slow down going uphill, so for car drivers the watchword is to be patient and only overtake when it's safe.

By law truck drivers have to take mandatory rest breaks, but car drivers should also take regular breaks because speed and fatigue are the two biggest killers on the road.

On the trip I will also be looking at the crowding in the truck rest areas along the way. There are not enough rest areas, and more action will be needed once the existing funding for rest areas ends in 2012", Senator Williams said.

Senator Williams and Mr. St Clair will leave from Byron Street, Inverell, at 8am this Sunday the 22^nd of May, travelling to Canberra along the Newell Highway via Moree, Dubbo and Cowra.

On Friday the 27^th of May, Senator Williams will address the 2011 Australian Trucking Convention on behalf of the Coalition.