On the Road

This page contains some of the stories from our On the Road newsletters. Please visit our Newsletter archive if you want to see the actual newsletter that gets sent out.

Significant notice updates in February 2024

On 10 February 2024, there was a significant update regarding heavy vehicle notices. As part of this update, five new notices have been published, accompanied by the renewal of 33 existing notices.

Additionally, four notices were replaced, while two will expire without renewal. Access will seamlessly transition to other notices, ensuring continued and uninterrupted access. 

Overheight vehicle investigation results in Chain of Responsibility improvement notices

Earlier this year, a heavy vehicle carrying portable aeroplane stairs hit the overheight warning dongles on General Holmes Drive in Mascot before stopping at the entrance of the Airport Tunnel.

The heavy vehicle and load height were measured at 4.58m, with the permitted height of the vehicle being 4.3m. Considering the applicable dimension adjustment in favour of the accused, the vehicle’s alleged height was 4.55m, an excess height of 25cm.

Grape expectations this harvest season

The NHVR is reminding operators of heavy vehicles transporting grapes to pay attention to their mass, loading, fatigue and work and rest hour requirements under the Heavy Vehicle National Law.

The reminder comes after grape spillage was found at major intersections and heavy vehicles transporting grapes inspected by NHVR’s Safety and Compliance Officers were found to be non-compliant. 

Mass and load requirements

Grapes, like all harvest goods, must be secured to meet the loading performance standards.

Don’t risk a rollover when transporting hay bales

The NHVR is reminding operators of heavy vehicles and heavy vehicle combinations transporting round hay bales to restrain bales safely and in manner that complies with the loading requirements in the Heavy Vehicle National Law.

The reminder comes after an increased number of heavy vehicles inspected by NHVR’s Safety and Compliance Officers found round hay bales were not adequately secured or were not secured using an appropriate restraint method. 

Renewed notice allows short work breaks for concrete agitator drivers

Eligible concrete agitator drivers can continue to record idle time spent in a stationary vehicle while the engine is running as a ‘short work break’, under the upcoming National Heavy Vehicle Concrete Agitator Work and Rest Hours Exemption Notice 2022 (No 1).

The renewed exemption notice comes into effect on 1 January 2022 and will allow concrete agitator drivers to take 30 minute ‘short work breaks’ in blocks of 15 continuous minutes while they are sitting in the driver’s seat of a loaded truck and not working.

NHVR security seals provide safety assurance for operators

The NHVR will commence using branded security seals from 4 January 2022, supporting measures to deliver a consistent tamper proof transport and logistics network.

The seals will be used by NHVR officers in South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria and the ACT where a heavy vehicle’s load is sealed and inspected.

Director Southern Region (Operations) Paul Simionato confirmed the seals would add an additional level of assurance for operators and drivers, together with those taking final delivery of loads.

Money put into safety education, not fines for two trucking companies

The NHVR recently accepted two enforceable undertakings (EU) from J.J. Richards & Sons Pty Ltd (JJR) and Brother Nature Pty Ltd (Brother) valued over $50,000 to correct activities around vehicle mass and loading requirements.

The EU for JJR stems from a skip bin loaded to a heavy vehicle operated by JJR was found to be leaking water onto the vehicle and road surface.

The heavy vehicle operated by Brother towing a single axle trailer breached the trailer axle group, weighing 1,020kg, breaching the permitted limit of 750kg.