Media releases

The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) has opened consultation on the implementation of amendments to the PBS Directional Stability Under Braking (DSUB) Standard.

NHVR Chief Engineer Les Bruzsa said the amendments would increase the requirement for newly built or newly approved PBS vehicle units to be fitted with the latest safety technologies and remove the option for Load Proportioning Brake Systems from the deemed to comply provision.

The NHVR has approved a third Electronic Work Diary (EWD) option, which will be available for use from next month.

NHVR Chief Regulatory Policy & Standards Officer Don Hogben said, following consideration by an assessment panel, the NHVR has approved Netstar’s Garmin Fleet 7XX Series for use as an official record for heavy vehicle driver work and rest hours from January 11, 2021.

"The first two approved EWDs have been available across Australia since December 1 and drivers and operators will now have access to an additional product option,” Mr Hogben said.

According to a sector breakdown of the results from the NHVR Heavy Vehicle Industry Safety Survey 2020, the General Freight sector is the most aware of the regulator’s industry Safety Management Systems guidance materials.

NHVR Manager Industry Engagement John Gilbert said the Survey’s detailed information would be passed onto heavy vehicle drivers at the next NHVR Truck Driver Information Day this week.

“NHVR staff will be joined by Police and local transport authorities at BP Charlton, just west of Toowoomba in Queensland," Mr Gilbert said.

The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) has laid primary duties charges against an operator and company director in relation to a fatal incident at Clements Gap, South Australia.

NHVR Executive Director Ray Hassall said the charges came as a result of an investigation by specialist Major Crash and Heavy Vehicle investigation sections of the South Australia Police.

“This is a tragic incident, where someone lost their life, and these charges stem from a comprehensive investigation that found an alleged breach of the primary safety duty,” Ray said.

The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) has today lifted the prohibition notice issued to Melbourne-based Sidhu Investments (QLD) Pty Ltd*, trading as Auswide Linehaul Services.

NHVR Executive Director Statutory Compliance Ray Hassall said the company had taken actions since the prohibition notice was issued.

“The NHVR believes as a result of the corrective actions taken since the issue of the prohibition notice that the immediate or imminent serious risk to the health or safety described in the notice no longer exists,” Mr Hassall said.

The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) has today repealed the prohibition notice issued to Melbourne-based Punjab Roadtrains Pty Ltd^[1], trading as Auswide Transport Solutions, and associated company Southern Cross Freight Lines Pty Ltd.

NHVR Executive Director Statutory Compliance Ray Hassall said that Punjab had entered into an undertaking with the regulator after providing evidence of improvements to practices.

“We have repealed this notice following Punjab entering into a detailed undertaking," Mr Hassall said.

Australian heavy vehicle safety programs will receive another significant boost with the launch of Round 6 of the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator’s (NHVR) Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiative (HVSI).

Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack said the Federal Government had provided $5.55 million to back submissions from community and industry groups to improve heavy vehicle safety on Australian roads.

The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) has filed charges in Coffs Harbour Local Court following an investigation into an incident in Tanah Merah, Qld in November 2018.

Two linked companies based in Brisbane, with a depot in Boambee, NSW, have each been charged with two Category 1 safety duties offences and one Category 2 safety duties offence under the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL).

NHVR Executive Director Ray Hassall said that the charges were a result of an extensive and complex investigation and carry significant penalties.

The NHVR has welcomed the final report from the Australian Productivity Commission into National Regulatory Reform, including the heavy vehicle industry.

NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto said the report highlighted the significant reform of safety and productivity across the heavy vehicle industry since the introduction of the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) in 2013.

“In particular, the Commissioners have highlighted the on-going improvement to road safety and a reduction in heavy vehicle crashes and progress of harmonisation,” Mr Petroccitto said.

Officers from the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) have this week entered multiple business premises in Queensland and Victoria using powers under the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL).

The entries were a result of concerns around road safety and compliance with safety duties under the HVNL.

The operation involved the entry of one premises in Queensland and two in Victoria, resulting in a significant amount of documents and other evidence being seized by NHVR officers.