New livery catches eye

Fonterra has started giving its tanker fleet of 480 a makeover that will make its vehicles more visible and roads safer.

The dairy co-operative's managing director of trade and operations, Gary Romano, said the technology used would make the tankers reflective at night and stand out during the day, with the moon and star graphics visible to other road users at night from up to 300m.

During the day, the moon graphic changes to a sun, the stars are extinguished and the scene changes to a blue sky and green pastures running the length of the vehicle.

The tankers travel 81 million km a year and Mr Romano said that as well as improving road safety, the new livery depicted Fonterra as a 24-hour-a-day operation.

Stainless steel does not reflect light from the headlights of oncoming cars but absorbs it, which Mr Romano said made it difficult for motorists to see the full length of a truck and trailer rig.

Fonterra's entire fleet will be redecorated by next April.