Issue 104 | 12 January 2021

Welcome to 2021

It’s certainly a time for optimism, and a chance to move forward from the challenges many across the heavy vehicle industry endured last year. I want to again acknowledge and praise drivers and operators for the strength and resilience shown when servicing our local communities throughout the pandemic. If the last year has taught us anything, it’s that we as the regulator, and governments, need to ensure we create a culture that embraces change and will prioritise initiatives that deliver the greatest benefits. This will be an important year to progress reform of heavy vehicle regulation. It’s critical that we get the new Heavy Vehicle National Law right so we can continue to adapt and evolve to the needs of our ever-changing industry. This means ensuring the law is principles-based and enabling the regulator to regulate by moving increased requirements to approved standards and codes of practice. We look forward to working with our industry and government partners to pursue more modern and innovative outcomes for our industry in 2021. Sal

New EWD approvals

The NHVR has approved two additional EWDs for use as an alternative to a written work diary. The NHVR approved Netstar’s Garmin Fleet 7XX Series for use from January 11. Click here for the full statement. MTData's Talon and Swift system, running on either a Samsung Galaxy Active Tab or Samsung Galaxy Active Tab 2 will be available for use from January 18. Click here for the full statement. They join the Step Global and Teletrac Navman systems, which have been available across Australia since December last year. Any issues with EWDs can be reported to the NHVR by phone or through the website at www.nhvr.gov.au/contact-us To stay up to date with approved EWDs and their conditions of use visit www.nhvr.gov.au/ewd

Support for better driving health

The NHVR is supporting the Queensland Trucking Association’s Driving Better Health program, which launched recently. The project is taking health assessments to drivers through the Heart of Australia trucks, making it more accessible for operators to take part. The program kicked off at the annual Frasers Livestock Transport ‘Yarn at the Yard’ in Warwick with free health assessments that normally cost $165 per person, fully funded by the NHVR’s Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiative, supported by the Federal Government. Click here for more information on upcoming Driver Better Health sessions.  If you have a heavy vehicle safety program or idea check out www.nhvr.gov.au/hvsi. Applications for Round 6 funding close on 12 February 2021.

New mental and physical wellbeing resources from Injury Matters

Western Australia-based organisation Injury Matters has officially launched the Mental and Physical Safety on our Roads (MaPS on our Roads) with support from the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR). This program aims to support heavy vehicle operators maintain mental and physical wellbeing at work. The first MaPS on our Roads campaign, Your MaP to Recovery: After a Road Crash, focuses on the importance of staying mentally and physically well on the road, looking after yourself and others after a road crash, and the support available to help. Project resources and information are available at www.injurymatters.org.au/mapsonourroads

Stay up to date with freight border crossing changes

The NHVR is continuing to coordinate information from state and federal authorities for essential travellers, including anyone moving freight. As border crossings change, stay up to date with the latest information about the ongoing requirements and heavy vehicle-friendly testing sites. Click here for more information

Send us your #TruckShots

Want to see your truck featured on the NHVR social pages? Whether it’s sunset, desert, flooded or just unusual, we want to see your best truck shots on the road. Click here to see some of the best shots of 2020 As we begin the journey of 2021, don’t forget to send through your best #TruckShots to us on Facebook. We can't wait to see where this year takes you!

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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