Trucking and rural industry representative warn members to prepare for updated road regulations to come into force on April 27
WA is changing some of its road rules, in order to better complement the laws of other states.
Chain of responsibility (COR) rules are set to come into effect from April 27, along with a new directive on the types of material used to tie down open loads on flatbed trailers.
Only approved webbing and certified ropes will be permitted, preventing loose loads on all vehicles.
WA Road Transport Association (WARTA) CEO Ian King says it is a sensible reform that is well past its due date.
“Gone are the days where you can tie off a piece of rope and 100 metres down the road it’s a loose load,” he tells WA media.
COR provisions are expected to cause the most concern among WA transport operators and their customers.
But King says businesses across all points of the supply chain can protect themselves, and road users, by developing strong procedures and documentation.
“Make sure that [the] processes are in place to protect your business; and educate your staff,” he advises.
But not everyone is happy about the updating of road regulations in the state.
WA Pastoralists and Graziers Association president Tony Seabrook says the changes add new levels of bureaucracy and risk to farmers and their families.
“Chain of responsibility ropes everyone in. There is so much red tape involved in this,” he says.
“[It] brings people into the system that are going to have to spend a lot of money putting other people in place to make sure the wrong thing doesn’t happen.”