Heavy vehicle safety initiatives receive $5.5 million boost

The Australian Government announced a $5.5 million investment in 21 new industry-led projects to improve heavy vehicle safety on the roads.

HVSI and CoR funding

The Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiative (HVSI) and the Chain of Responsibility (CoR) programs are funded through the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator’s (NHVR). The HVSI program is providing $3.8 million to 12 projects that address key issues such as:

• roadside health and wellness screening
• driver training, and
• vulnerable road user safety.

The CoR program is providing $1.7 million to 9 projects that will help organisations develop training content and resources to meet their obligations under the law. These will aid the heavy vehicle industry and other road users by reducing road trauma and saving lives. The scheme is a once-off grant that aims to help pave to way to a safer future by improving industry safety practices.

Queensland Road Safety Week – keep safe behind the wheel

NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto OAM says the regulator is proud to promote such important safety messages. These messages are especially relevant during the Queensland Road Safety Week (21-25 August). Queensland Road Safety Week is one of the ways the NHVR is spreading the message of road safety and reducing the rising road toll. This year’s theme ‘Road safety starts with me.’

“…This campaign is a powerful reminder for heavy vehicle drivers to make safe decisions when they are behind the wheel,” he says. “We want all road users to get home safely to their loved ones”.

Truckies and light vehicle drivers are also being urged to put safety first and follow the tips from the NHVR’s We All Need Space campaign. Because around 70% of serious incidents are the fault of the light vehicle driver, the campaign is useful for light drivers to learn more about how to give space on roads. We All Need Space provides simple advice on how to drive safely around trucks, such as:

• maintaining a safe distance around trucks, which are unable to brake or swerve as quickly.
• because trucks have four blind spots, they are legally allowed to take up more than one lane to turn at corners, intersections, and roundabouts.

White List update for heavy vehicle operators

White List application processes are being updated. The NHVR is updating the application process for operators whose fleets travel through New South Wales and South Australia. The changes are aiming to help reduce reporting requirements for nominating vehicles and companies. The White List is a system that monitors the movement of heavy vehicles using the National Camera Network, and identifies potential fatigue-related breaches.

Operators who demonstrate that they have fatigue management practices in place and have a satisfactory compliance history can apply for White List consideration. This will significantly reduce their reporting requirements while maintaining safe operations.

NHVR Chief Operations Officer Paul Salvati says the changes will decrease red tape for compliant operators, while still ensuring road safety remains a priority.

“Our aim is to ultimately ensure greater safety for heavy vehicle drivers, operators, and all road users so that everyone remains safe when travelling on Australian roads,” he said.

Sources

Industry projects to drive heavy vehicle safety with $5.5 million investment by NHVR, August 21st, 2023

Queensland Road Safety Week an important reminder for all drivers to keep safe behind the wheel by NVHR, August 21st, 2023

NHVR updates process for White List applications by NVHR, August 18th, 2023