The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator outlines what is in its five-year plan
More fatigue risk management options, targeted compliance activities and promoting safer, cleaner and efficient heavy vehicles are some of the key initiatives the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator says it will deliver under the first year of its five-year strategy for heavy vehicle safety.
NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto says the Heavy Vehicle Safety Strategy 2021-25 and supporting Action Plan 2021-22 was developed in consultation with a wide range of government, industry and safety advocates.
“This strategy outlines our collective ambitions in achieving better heavy vehicle safety outcomes and reducing the number of crashes, fatalities and serious injuries involving heavy vehicles,” Petroccitto says.
Read about the NHVR’s borderless operations vision, here
“As a modern, risk-based regulator, this strategy will ensure we are targeting and minimising the greatest safety risks on our roads and along the supply chain by using data-driven intelligence.
“The action plan provides a yearly outline that defines the regulator’s day-to-day operations and the partnership opportunities with our industry and stakeholders.”
The strategy contains three guiding themes that have been driven by industry, including creating positive change in individual behaviours and culture, driving uptake of a modern, safer heavy vehicle fleet, and influencing road network design and use to support road safety.
The NHVR says the strategy would serve as an active program of work over the coming years.
“As the heavy vehicle industry and supply chain grows, so too must our continued focus on delivering safety at the highest level,” Petroccitto says.
“We continue to learn more about the maturity of our industry and underpinning our initiatives is a strong focus on empowering those who are best placed to manage safety risks to do so.
“I want to thank the many stakeholders that have helped formulate this strategy and I look forward to the industry becoming even more safe, productive and efficient in the future.”
The NHVR has already commenced delivering on key actions of the Heavy Vehicle Safety Strategy Action Plan 2021 – 22, with highlights including:
- Encourage the uptake of Advanced Fatigue Management through new and clearer guidelines and direct engagement with transport companies
- Deliver improved and more accessible Safety Management System (SMS) material for industry, focussed on practical and easy to implement safety business practices and initiatives, including the 9-Step SMS Roadmap launched in August
- Assist industry to deliver sector specific Codes of Practice
- Conduct intelligence-led national road safety operations alongside regulatory and enforcement partners
- Provide fleet purchasing guidance to increase awareness and uptake of vehicle safety and environmental technology
- Provide road managers with information and insights on heavy vehicle issues, through national and other working groups related to infrastructure policy, planning, and investment
- Support safe heavy vehicles access through infrastructure assessments and development of assessment tools for road managers under the Strategic Local Government Asset Assessment Project.
To view the Heavy Vehicle Safety Strategy 2021 – 25, click here.
To view the Action Plan 2021 – 22, click here.
Both documents are located on the NHVR’s website.