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An edu-tech app to help educate learner drivers about sharing roads safely with trucks, Australia’s first roadside effluent disposal facility for livestock carriers and a video series promoting 10 top safety tips are among the 14 initiatives to receive funding from the latest round of the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator’s (NHVR) Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiative.

The NHVR has opened consultation on a new modification code to fit non-standard rear wheel components on heavy vehicles.

NHVR Vehicle Safety and Performance Manager Peter Austin said the new code (D3) would allow certification of some common modifications to heavy vehicle rear tyres and rims by Approved Vehicle Examiners (AVEs) rather than requiring approval from the NHVR.

The NHVR is aware of recent media reports regarding a Facebook video of what appears to be a truck driver taking drugs.

The behaviour in the video is shocking and dangerous for this driver and other road users.

We don’t condone this behaviour and we will work with all road authorities to remove this risk to road users.

We fully support police agencies and their efforts to target illicit drug use and high-risk operators.

Contact: Andrew Berkman | 0429 128 637

The NHVR has commenced public consultation on a draft Master Industry Code of Practice developed by representatives of Australia’s heavy vehicle industry.

NHVR Regulatory Compliance Executive Director Tony Kursius said industry feedback was an important part of the NHVR’s assessment process.

“We welcome the heavy vehicle industry’s efforts, led by the Australian Trucking Association and Australian Logistics Council, to develop a Master Code of Practice which covers general risks relevant to compliance with Australia’s Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL),” Mr Kursius said

Joint release

Hon Michael McCormack MP - Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Infrastructure and Transport
Sal Petroccitto - CEO National Heavy Vehicle Regulator

Heavy vehicle drivers and supply chain employees can confidentially report potential safety breaches via a new secure hotline.

The NHVR has welcomed a Federal Government announcement to review the issuing of permits for oversized, over mass heavy vehicles.

NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto said the independent review would ensure a vital sector of the heavy vehicle industry would be able to get full visibility of the permit process and identify future improvements for heavy vehicle access.

“It’s important that the permit process be timely and strike the right balance between safety, protecting roads and bridges and ensuring the productive movement of freight,” Mr Petroccitto said.

A national mass increase for two-axle buses and twin steer tri-axle semitrailer combinations will be among a number of changes to the Heavy Vehicle National Law and regulations starting July 1.

NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto said the changes would provide nationally consistent mass limits for the two classes of heavy vehicles.

“Two-axle buses equipped with dual tyres on the rear axle can operate up to 18 tonnes, conditional on the bus being equipped with some additional safety features,” Mr Petroccitto said.

The NHVR has welcomed the outcomes of a review into Australia’s Performance-Based Standards (PBS) scheme.

NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto said the four recommendations would allow further strengthening of the PBS scheme, which makes up almost one-in-six new vehicles manufactured in Australia.

“Over the past decade the ability to design and develop innovative heavy vehicles that match a particular purpose has become a significant part of Australia’s landscape,” Mr Petroccitto said.

The NHVR has released a second round of common questions raised by primary producers about changes to Chain of Responsibility laws.

NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto said the information was gathered at a series of recent workshops for primary producers across Tasmania, South Australia and Victoria.

“As we travel across regional Australia we continue to address concerns raised by farmers to explain changes to the laws and how they align with workplace health and safety laws,” Mr Petroccitto said.

The NHVR will process all Class 1 heavy vehicle permit applications across Victoria from today.

NHVR Project Director Annette Finch said the NHVR had been working with VicRoads and the Victorian heavy vehicle industry to further streamline the permit process through the NHVR Portal.

"Victorian heavy vehicle operators have been using the NHVR Portal since 2016, but from today will receive additional benefits with the NHVR and VicRoads streamlining the consent process," Ms Finch said.

The NHVR will start accepting applications from Australian and international companies for Electronic Work Diary (EWD) approvals from today.

NHVR Safety Standards Director Greg Fill said the acceptance of applications was an important milestone in providing fatigue-regulated heavy vehicle drivers with a voluntary alternative to Written Work Diaries.

"I expect we'll start to see applications lodged to have EWDs approved in the coming weeks," Mr Fill said.

Reforms to the Chain of Responsibility (CoR) laws will be implemented from 1 October.

Timing for the changes was confirmed by Queensland Transport and Main Road Minister Mark Bailey.

NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto said the start date for the reforms follows lengthy consultation and information for heavy vehicle businesses over the past 18 months.

“The NHVR has been engaging with many of the 165,000 businesses which make up the heavy vehicle supply chain, and conducted more than 100 workshops,” Mr Petroccitto said.

The Australian Forestry Contractors Association (AFCA) will host its next round of free safety workshops for forestry workers in regional NSW, Victoria and South Australia.

The NHVR has joined forces with AFCA, providing funding for the Forestry Logistics Safety Program under the Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiative.

NHVR Stakeholder Manager John Gilbert said it is imperative Australia’s forestry workers have a safe environment and the training is providing much-needed support and advice, particularly in relation to truck rollovers.

Australian and international companies will demonstrate their Electronic Work Diary (EWD) concepts to show goers and NHVR staff at MegaTrans in Melbourne today.

NHVR Executive Director of Productivity and Safety Geoff Casey said 32 technology providers and transport operators intending to develop an EWD had now registered a Notice of Intent with the NHVR.

“Seven of those companies have accepted an invitation by the NHVR to participate in an opportunity to discuss and present their products and concepts at the NHVR stand at MegaTrans,” Mr Casey said.

The NHVR has launched a series of tools to help heavy vehicle operators boost the safety performance of their business.

Victorian Roads and Road Safety Minister Luke Donnellan told today’s MegaTrans 2018 launch that NHVR’s Safety Management System guidance material and tools would drive a positive safety culture across the heavy vehicle industry and provide a similar systems-based approach used successfully in maritime, rail, aviation and other industries

Australia’s appetite for modern technology that matches heavy vehicles to a specific task has grown to 17 per cent of all new heavy vehicles, according to a new report released today.

NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto said the joint report by the Australian Road Transport Suppliers Association (ARTSA) and the NHVR into the Performance Based Standards (PBS) scheme showed the significant penetration of PBS-approved vehicles into the Australian market.