Issue 107 | 23 February 2021

We know that Australia’s heavy vehicle industry doesn’t stand still. It’s constantly changing, presenting new challenges for those on the road and in the heavy vehicle supply chain. That’s why the NHVR is committed to raising productivity across the industry, while continuing to improve safety. This week, revised Business Rules and Standards for the National Heavy Vehicle Accreditation Scheme took effect, which will make it easier for members to meet Chain of Responsibility requirements while simplifying fatigue management modules. We’ve also begun tyre testing with the Australian Road Research Board as part of our PBS Tyre Review following recommendations from safety expert Dr John de Pont. There’s more work to be done, but I’m confident the gains will be worth it. The heavy vehicle industry’s potential is huge and the NHVR is helping to unlock it. Sal CEO

South Australian operator charged over engine remapping

The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) has charged a South Australian company with a primary duty offence for allegedly remapping the engines of heavy vehicles. The charges stem from a South Australia Police operation in June 2020. The NHVR will argue that the checks conducted during the operation indicated the vehicle was not using Adblue, suggesting its emissions control system had been tampered with. Examinations were conducted on other heavy vehicles registered to the company which form the basis of additional charges. It is alleged that the operator of the vehicles disabled the emission controls on the heavy vehicles. > Read the full story

Tyre testing underway to progress PBS Tyre Review

The NHVR has begun extensive testing on a range of tyres used on Performance Based Standards combinations following recommendations by road safety expert Dr John de Pont in his Review of Tyre Management Practices in the Australian PBS System. NHVR Chief Engineer Les Bruzsa said the NHVR was working with the Australian Road Research Board (ARRB) to undertake tyre testing needed to progress Dr de Pont’s findings. “The testing will examine the effect of variations in tread depth, vertical loads, different inflation pressures, road surface characteristics and the performance characteristics of different tyres. “The results will also be used to determine how the performance of heavy vehicle tyres in the Australian market differ from the Michelin XZA tyre used to develop the PBS Standards. > Read more here

Revised NHVAS Business Rules and Standards commenced

The NHVR revised Business Rules and Standards — under the National Heavy Vehicle Accreditation Scheme (NHVAS) — took effect on Monday 22 February. The new Rules and Standards will allow the NHVAS to align more closely to Safety Management Systems and help members meet their requirements under Chain of Responsibility laws. The changes include a reduction in the duplication between the Advanced Fatigue Management and Basic Fatigue Management modules to allow both to operate under a single set of seven standards. Other safety-related improvements include a requirement to notify the NHVR of any significant or major safety incidents involving a NHVAS-nominated vehicle or driver operating under a fatigue module, a requirement to keep a register for infringement and defective vehicle notices related to the scheme, and revised requirements for loading and weighing. The revised Business Rules and Standards, fact sheets and videos are available at www.nhvr.gov.au/nhvas-business-rules.

SARTA launches heavy vehicle simulator

Truck drivers will now be able to use new state-of-the-art technology to gain valuable experience before hitting the road following the launch of the South Australian Road Transport Association’s (SARTA) new Heavy Vehicle Simulator. The Federal and South Australian governments have partnered with SARTA to buy the $450,000 HVSim and software package, with $350,000 of funding provided through the NHVR’s Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiative. > Read more here

Draft National Road Safety Strategy 2021-30 open for consultation

The draft National Road Safety Strategy 2021-30 is now available for public consultation. The draft strategy sets the direction of Australia’s road safety objectives, key priorities for action and road trauma reduction targets for the decade to 2030 to set us on the path to achieve Vision Zero by 2050 – meaning zero deaths and serious injuries from road crashes. To view the draft strategy or make a submission, visit www.officeofroadsafety.gov.au/nrss

Truck Driver Information Days

Come and chat to the NHVR at our next roadside information days. Whether you have a question about access, Chain of Responsibility or any other heavy vehicle queries, come and join us.  Upcoming dates QLD: Tue 23 Feb - Gin Gin 12.30-9.30pm AEST NSW: Tue 2 Mar - Moree 10am–6pm AEDT VIC: Thu 11 Mar - Traralgon East 8am-4pm AEDT VIC: Tue 16 Mar - Dandenong 6am-2pm AEDT > Visit the website events page for more event details

Have you got another question about coronavirus changes?

A lot may have changed across the heavy vehicle industry over the past months, but safety still comes first. Check out the latest advice for heavy vehicle operators at www.nhvr.gov.au/coronavirus

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