NTI gathers experts to find practical applications for findings, starting with recently released research report
August 30, 2011
National Transport Insurance (NTI) has created a new advisory board to the National Truck Accident Research Centre (NTARC) with a view to creating practical outcomes based on its crucial analysis.
To be called the AllRoads Safety Advisory Board, it will be chaired by experienced Melbourne University researcher and logistics consultant Associate Professor Kim Hassall.
“Australia alone produces a plethora of excellent research on road safety but, in many cases, the outcomes don’t flow on to generating real change on the ground,” Associate Professor Hassall says.
“By reviewing both national and international research findings in detail, we hope to pinpoint measures to make road transport safer, benefiting not only operators but everyone on the roads.”
The advisory board’s first task is to review the 2011
findings of NTARC’s biennial heavy vehicle accident study, the Major Truck Accident Research Report.
That study investigated 323 major crashes from 2009, found, amongst other things, that inappropriate speed for the conditions and fatigue were responsible for 42 percent of heavy vehicle accidents.
Fellow advisory board member and NTI Industry Relations National Manager Owen Driscoll says the insurer believes that truck accident research was a prerequisite for achieving sustainable safety improvements for all road users.
“We hope by creating this advisory board to the NTARC, we’ll move closer to recommending changes that could make a real difference, not just for truck drivers, but for everyone on our roads.
“This signals a new era for the research centre in working to impact road safety in Australia.”
Along with Hassall and Driscoll, the board comprises:
Les Bruzsa Principal Engineer, Road System Operations Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads; Bill Manton, National Training Manager Simon National Carriers; Mark Johnston, National Sales and Marketing Manager at Haulmark Trailers (Australia); and NTI Claims Operations General Manager Alan Hasted.
