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NSW amends fatigue law provisions

RTA replaces five existing state exemtions as national heavy vehicle fatigue laws come in

March 8, 2011

The New South Wales Roads & Traffic Authority has amended driver fatigue laws, with a “range of minor amendments” in place as of last week.

Driving within a 100 km radius gains a work diary exemption, though a record of work and rest times must still be kept.

Heavy vehicles used for the purpose of ‘primary production’ within a 160km radius are exempt from work diary and record keeping requirements.

This exemption applies to trips for the purpose of cultivating crops, raising livestock, poultry and bees, and transporting produce and animals.

There is limited exemption for emergency events for drivers other than emergency services personnel.

Drivers responding to an emergency in the course of their duties may:

· exceed work and rest time limits while attending an emergency and the return journey.

· complete their work diary (if applicable) after returning from the emergency.

This exemption applies to events such as disruption of essential services, major chemical spills and natural disasters.

Drivers must record details of the location and nature of the emergency, so that enforcement officers can verify their eligibility for the exemption.

Drivers are permitted to use heavy vehicles for non-business purposes for up to one continuous hour during a rest day, including driving, cleaning and refuelling.

Other changes affect:

· Short rest breaks in the vehicle

· Fortnightly cycles in the AFM option

· Community & private bus transport

· Exemption

· Council employees work diary exemption

· Motor industry record keeping exemption

The chages are detailed at:

http://www.vision6.com.au/download/files/22094/1322637/Fact%20Sheet%20Summary%20of%20HVDF%20Amendments%20March%202011.pdf

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