Issue 77 | 17 Feb 2020

Message from the CEO

Heavy vehicle operators have long called for standard compliance, across borders and between agencies responsible for its delivery. Changes have been occurring, through agreements such as the National Compliance and Enforcement Policy released in late 2018. However the NHVR took a big step toward standard compliance with the transition of heavy vehicle services from VicRoads in December and the official opening of our Melbourne base earlier this month. The transition of Victorian heavy vehicle services follows similar changes undertaken by state governments in South Australia, Tasmania and the ACT. With borderless zones of operations, officers across the NHVR workforce will be able to deliver more consistent and broader services. This means our officers will no longer be restricted by borders when undertaking heavy vehicle compliance activities. It’s yet another step to deliver risk-based and outcomes-focused services when planning and undertaking heavy vehicle related compliance and enforcement activities. Sal

Fatigue technology found to deliver safety benefits

Truck and bus companies have supported the use of Fatigue and Distraction Detection Technology to improve safety outcomes by helping prevent accidents before they occur, rather than looking in the rear vision mirror after the fact. This finding comes from an NHVR-commissioned study (as part of a five stage safety initiative) and was undertaken by independent consultants from HGH Consulting and CQ University, including internationally acclaimed sleep scientist, Professor Drew Dawson. NHVR Fatigue Specialist Andreas Blahous said this technology has the potential to be a game changer and the NHVR will work towards a collaborative approach to encouraging adoption of the new technology that includes drivers and management  “The study found that the use of technology significantly reduced the frequency of fatigue and distraction events and identifies possible events to help prevent crashes before they occur,” Andreas said. “As one driver told the study; ‘it’s like having a mate in the cab that taps you on the shoulder’. > Click to read the full article

Last chance to get in your heavy vehicle safety ideas

The NHVR is reminding groups to submit their funding applications for Round 5 of the Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiative (HVSI) before the Friday 21 February deadline. NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto said the Federal Government had provided $5.48 million in 2020-21 for projects that improve heavy vehicle safety, under round five of the program. “This is the last week to get in your applications for the HVSI – our program which targets projects that can deliver real safety benefits for the heavy vehicle industry and all road users,” Sal said. “We’ve got some great projects underway, targeting everything from compliance in the supply chain to driver mental health and education programs about driving safely around trucks.  > Click here for more details and submission guidelines

Minor law changes on the horizon

Minor amendments to the National Heavy Vehicle Law are coming on February 28. The changes remove inconsistencies between self-clearing defect notices, minor and major defect notices.  These changes will: align the requirement for a driver who is not the vehicle operator to give the defect notice to the operator as soon as practicable, but no more than 14 days, after the notice is issued allow a self-clearing defect notice to specify the date by which the repairs must be carried out provide an option for the operator to request permission to use a heavy vehicle subject to a self-clearing defect notice if the repairs have not been carried out by the required date.  > Click here to read more about the changes

NHVR commences first prosecution under new Chain of Responsibility laws

The NHVR has commenced its first prosecution under new Chain of Responsibility laws, laying charges against a company director for failing to exercise due diligence to ensure the company complied with its safety duty. NHVR Executive Director Statutory Compliance Ray Hassall said that NHVR Investigators conducted a safety duties investigation into a Victorian trucking company in relation to fatigue management of its drivers. “We believe the company failed to comply with conditions of its fatigue management accreditation,” Ray said. “This requirement forms part of the Heavy Vehicle National Law’s (HVNL) primary safety duty and executives are required to exercise due diligence to ensure a company complies with this duty. > Click to read the article

Truck Driver Info Days

Wednesday 19 Feb Rockbank, Victoria > More details ------------------------ Tuesday 3 March Port of Brisbane, Queensland > More details

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