The NHVR would support further expansion to new laws that target 165,000 companies that make up the heavy vehicle supply chain.
NVHR CEO Sal Petroccitto said recent media articles about heavy vehicle safety highlighted the progress that had been made to reforming safety laws.
“I believe there is more work to do, but we are already making significant progress to improve heavy vehicle safety,” Mr Petroccitto said.
“We are working closely with state and Federal jurisdictions to achieve national consistency for safety standards and in future this may include licensing standards for heavy vehicle drivers.
“A great example of the states and NHVR working together are the new Chain of Responsibility laws which will deliver some of the most significant reforms for heavy vehicle safety in Australia’s history.
“Under the new laws coming in mid-2018, the entire heavy vehicle supply chain will be required to take steps to deliver a safer road transport industry with many companies looking to transition to, or improve existing safety management systems.
“The NHVR has delivered 76 information and education sessions across Australia and we’ve got another 26 sessions starting next months as part of the introduction to the new laws.
“I’m pleased to see many companies in the supply chain already taking practical steps to ensure they meet the new laws.”
The changes to the Chain of Responsibility laws make it clear the responsibility of duty holders to understand and assess their risks and to better apply risk management processes to focus on safety outcomes.
Mr Petroccitto said the NHVR would continue to encourage heavy vehicle businesses to develop or transition to safety management systems.
“There were 213 deaths from 191 fatal crashes involving heavy trucks or buses across Australia in 2016 and I am determined to see that number continue to fall and make heavy vehicle safety everyone’s business.
“That means heavy vehicle safety is also the responsibility of car drivers, who need to understand how to behave around trucks.”
For more information on heavy vehicle safety and fact sheets on the new Chain of Responsibility laws go to www.nhvr.gov.au/cor
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