Transport department pledges to continue developing code of practice on brake technology performance
South Australia has made mandatory antilock braking systems (ABS) or load proportioning brake systems for new model heavy trailers.
The move is in line with national requirements that will see the changes come into force for all new trailers on January 1, “consistent with the requirement for heavy trucks and buses”, it says.
State Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure (DPTI) executive director of road safety Julie Holmes believes the new rules are expected to save more than 50 lives on Australian roads over 30 years.
“This move will bring more modern and safer braking systems into the Australian heavy vehicle fleet,” Holmes says.
“ABS or load proportioning brake systems can greatly improve heavy vehicle stability in emergency situations and in instances of wheel lock up.”
The mandating of ABS or load proportioning brake systems on all new heavy vehicles and trailers represents the completion of the first phase of the National Heavy Vehicle Braking Strategy (NHVBS), the department adds, saying it will “continue to work with industry in developing a code of practice so that operators can optimise the performance of different braking technologies when combining trucks and trailers together”.