Lives lost at a busy intersection at the end of a steep descent on the Adelaide side of Mount Osmond on the South East Freeway in South Australia are driving a renewed safety message for truckies.
The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) has released a statement urging truck drivers to be cautious travelling down steep descents, and to be vigilant in checking their brakes regularly to ensure they are up to the job.
NHVR director of operations Southern Region Paul Simionato says the SE Freeway (in Adelaide) has been the scene of several horrific crashes in recent years, tragically resulting in the loss of multiple lives.
In May last year a truck crashed into a wall opposite the intersection after losing control, luckily the 65-year-old driver walked away. However, the same intersection claimed the life of 41-year-old truck driver James Venning in January 2014, when he hit that same wall.
In October 2010, a 42-year-old man was killed when an out-of-control semi-trailer hit him at the bus stop at the intersection.
In August 2014, Thomas Spiess, 57 and Jacqueline Byrne, 41, were killed when an out of control truck crashed through the intersection.
“The SE Freeway is a significant freight route corridor as it’s the most direct connection between Adelaide and Melbourne, and unfortunately, the intersection of Cross Road and Glen Osmond has been notorious for heavy vehicle crashes,” Simionato says.
“We’ve seen far too many incidents where heavy vehicle brakes have failed or road warnings have been disregarded and tragically, people have lost their lives.
Simionato says faulty or ineffective brakes are a serious safety concern and even minor defects can have serious consequences.
“We know this particular freeway presents unique driving conditions for heavy vehicles – but it’s up to the driver to ensure they are adhering to warning signs, shifting to a low gear before beginning the descent, keeping to the left lane and maintaining a safe and controlled speed,”
“If a driver is descending on the SE Freeway and has a concern or issue with their brakes, we strongly encourage them to use the two safety ramps available which are free to use.”
“Prevention starts with education, and NHVR SCOs are committed to working with industry to ensure every driver and operator understand the risks involved with faulty brakes,”
“Operators have a responsibility to ensure their vehicles are roadworthy and braking systems are in top condition – for the safety of their own drivers, other road users, and to the communities their vehicles travel through.”
The NHVR has information about managing the risks associated with heavy vehicles travelling down steep descents here.
Included in the NHVR checklist is a checklist for operators to ensure their drivers are aware of the challenges of driving down steep roads.
Under the Driver Induction and Training section it indicates the Chain of Responsibility requires businesses to meet training standards as follows –
Examples include:
- ensuring drivers are properly trained to maintain vehicle control when negotiating a descent
- delivering toolbox talks relating to hazards on routes, using low gears and auxiliary brakes to manage speed, and discussing contingency plans and procedures for the management of runaway trucks such as the use of safety ramps/arrester beds
- undertaking regular training and competency checks of drivers who operate on steep descents
- providing education to drivers in relation to the challenges involved in steep descents
- alerting drivers to location of steep descents on the routes through safe driving plans, briefs, or electronic means (GPS alerts)
- familiarising drivers with early indicators of brake deterioration or failure
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