NHVR welcomes funding boost for heavy vehicle programs

29-03-2019

The NHVR has welcomed the Federal Government’s announcement for additional funding for key heavy vehicle safety programs.

NHVR Chair Duncan Gay said the commitment by the Federal Government to new funding for the Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiative (HVSI) was an important safety outcome for all road users.

“The HVSI program has provided $11.61 million for 35 community and industry safety initiatives over the past three years,” Mr Gay said.

“The NHVR doesn’t pretend to have all the answers, which is why it’s important we work with a variety of safety groups to harness their collective knowledge to develop implementable, value-for-money projects.

“There are 42 applications for the current round of funding, which closed in February, already vying for the current $3.91 million in funding.”

The HVSI program has delivered a range of safety programs over the past three years including Chain of Responsibility information, a Safety Around Ports project, Forestry Logistics Safety program, Ag Vehicle safety, green reflectors to mark informal truck bays, Heavy Vehicle Confidential Reporting line and user-pays loading trials for livestock loading.

Mr Gay also welcomed the additional $571.1 million to improve the safety and efficiency of heavy vehicle operations through the Bridges Renewal Program and Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Program, including the establishment of the Office of Road Safety.

“There were 175 fatalities involving heavy vehicles and buses in 2018. While that is the lowest number ever recorded, it shows there is still a long way to go and many lives to save,” he said.

For more information on the Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiative program visit www.nhvr.gov.au/hvsi

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