Fatigue tops Confidential Reporting Line calls

Complaints about fatigue are the most common calls to the NHVR’s Heavy Vehicle Confidential Reporting Line.

NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto said the reporting line, which has been live since July last year, was answering around 115 calls a month, and responding to over 65 reports of non-compliance nationwide every month.

“The Heavy Vehicle Confidential Reporting Line enables drivers and parties in the heavy vehicle supply chain to pass on information about possible breaches of the Heavy Vehicle National Law,” Mr Petroccitto said.

“Between October 2018 and January 2019, 505 calls were received which generated 289 new reports. Almost one-third of these were reporting fatigue concerns, and 25 per cent related to business practices.

“Concerns with mechanical safety (21 per cent) and load restraint (14 per cent) were the next most commonly reported.

“I encourage operators and supply chain parties to take advantage of this service and contribute to the safety of our industry without fear of recrimination.”

The line was established with $250,000 funding from the Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiative, supported by the Commonwealth Government, to allow heavy vehicle safety concerns to be reported confidentially to the NHVR before being assessed and appropriate action taken.

To date, the Heavy Vehicle Confidential Reporting Line has been operated independently, however from March 1 calls will be answered by a special unit within the NHVR.

The new operating hours for the reporting line will be 7am-4.30pm (AEST) from Monday to Friday, which covers 90 per cent of all current calls. Calls will continue to be treated in the strictest confidence.

“The reporting line is an important tool for us to gather information that can help make our roads safer for all users,” Mr Petroccitto said.

“It’s important that it’s supported beyond the current funding period and that the identity of the reporting individual is protected throughout all stages of the process.”

Anyone with a safety concern can call the Heavy Vehicle Confidential Reporting Line on 1800 931 785 for free from any landline in Australia (and some mobile providers).

Calls to the Heavy Vehicle Confidential Reporting Line (October 2018-January 2019)