Media releases

A new report from Australia’s largest trucking insurer and the industry regulator has confirmed operators who effectively maintain their vehicles are less likely to be involved in an incident.

For the first time, the trucking industry regulator and leading insurer have shared de-identified critical road crash data, with the aim of improving road safety.

The NHVR has welcomed the appointment of well-known trucking safety advocate Rod Hannifey as president of the National Road Freighters Association (NRFA).

NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto said Mr Hannifey’s appointment would ensure smaller operators continue to have a strong voice when it comes to heavy vehicle safety reform.

“Rod has shown he’s willing to tackle just about any issue that leads to a safer outcome for heavy vehicle drivers and it’s often a practical solution that’s born out of decades of experience,” Mr Petroccitto said.

The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) and Queensland Police Service (QPS) last week entered the premises of a Sunshine Coast based transport company to investigate the company’s compliance with the Heavy Vehicle National Law.

NHVR and QPS identified evidence of engine remapping, which meant emissions controls and speed limiting systems were not operating in accordance with the Australian Design Rules.

Defect notices were issued for the relevant vehicles and a direction has been given to the operator to remedy the issues while investigations are ongoing.

Primary duties offences have been laid against a South Australian manufacturing company and its executive following an incident in February 2019.

The company has been charged with category 1, 2 and 3 offences under the Heavy Vehicle National Law while the executive has been charged with failure comply with a duty.

The charges stem from the incorrect restraint of a load on a trailer by someone who had not been adequately trained in load restraint nor had any relevant experience restraining loads on heavy vehicles.

The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) has opened consultation on the implementation of amendments to the PBS Directional Stability Under Braking (DSUB) Standard.

NHVR Chief Engineer Les Bruzsa said the amendments would increase the requirement for newly built or newly approved PBS vehicle units to be fitted with the latest safety technologies and remove the option for Load Proportioning Brake Systems from the deemed to comply provision.

The NHVR has approved a third Electronic Work Diary (EWD) option, which will be available for use from next month.

NHVR Chief Regulatory Policy & Standards Officer Don Hogben said, following consideration by an assessment panel, the NHVR has approved Netstar’s Garmin Fleet 7XX Series for use as an official record for heavy vehicle driver work and rest hours from January 11, 2021.

"The first two approved EWDs have been available across Australia since December 1 and drivers and operators will now have access to an additional product option,” Mr Hogben said.

According to a sector breakdown of the results from the NHVR Heavy Vehicle Industry Safety Survey 2020, the General Freight sector is the most aware of the regulator’s industry Safety Management Systems guidance materials.

NHVR Manager Industry Engagement John Gilbert said the Survey’s detailed information would be passed onto heavy vehicle drivers at the next NHVR Truck Driver Information Day this week.

“NHVR staff will be joined by Police and local transport authorities at BP Charlton, just west of Toowoomba in Queensland," Mr Gilbert said.

The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) has laid primary duties charges against an operator and company director in relation to a fatal incident at Clements Gap, South Australia.

NHVR Executive Director Ray Hassall said the charges came as a result of an investigation by specialist Major Crash and Heavy Vehicle investigation sections of the South Australia Police.

“This is a tragic incident, where someone lost their life, and these charges stem from a comprehensive investigation that found an alleged breach of the primary safety duty,” Ray said.

The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) has today lifted the prohibition notice issued to Melbourne-based Sidhu Investments (QLD) Pty Ltd*, trading as Auswide Linehaul Services.

NHVR Executive Director Statutory Compliance Ray Hassall said the company had taken actions since the prohibition notice was issued.

“The NHVR believes as a result of the corrective actions taken since the issue of the prohibition notice that the immediate or imminent serious risk to the health or safety described in the notice no longer exists,” Mr Hassall said.

The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) has today repealed the prohibition notice issued to Melbourne-based Punjab Roadtrains Pty Ltd^[1], trading as Auswide Transport Solutions, and associated company Southern Cross Freight Lines Pty Ltd.

NHVR Executive Director Statutory Compliance Ray Hassall said that Punjab had entered into an undertaking with the regulator after providing evidence of improvements to practices.

“We have repealed this notice following Punjab entering into a detailed undertaking," Mr Hassall said.

Australian heavy vehicle safety programs will receive another significant boost with the launch of Round 6 of the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator’s (NHVR) Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiative (HVSI).

Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack said the Federal Government had provided $5.55 million to back submissions from community and industry groups to improve heavy vehicle safety on Australian roads.

The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) has filed charges in Coffs Harbour Local Court following an investigation into an incident in Tanah Merah, Qld in November 2018.

Two linked companies based in Brisbane, with a depot in Boambee, NSW, have each been charged with two Category 1 safety duties offences and one Category 2 safety duties offence under the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL).

NHVR Executive Director Ray Hassall said that the charges were a result of an extensive and complex investigation and carry significant penalties.