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Heavy vehicle safety gets $5.4 million boost
More than $700,000 of heavy vehicle safety funding has been allocated to supporting truck driver mental health initiatives through the 2019-20 Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiative.
Funding for mental health will be allocated to three organisations under the NHVR’s $5.4 million safety fund – Canberra-based OzHelp Foundation, Perth-based Injury Matters and the NT Road Transport Association.
OzHelp Foundation will receive $250,000 to develop and pilot a heavy vehicle industry health promotion and assistance program for owner-drivers.
Injury Matters will receive $436,000 to raise industry awareness of operator’s mental and physical safety across Western Australia, while the NT Road Transport Association had been allocated $36,700 to assist heavy vehicle drivers who are first responders to road accidents.
NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto said the program would also support a number of information programs following the amendments to of Chain of Responsibility legislation last year, including programs through the Australian Livestock Markets Association and the Livestock Bulk and Rural Carriers Association.
The fourth round of funding would continue to play a crucial role in improving heavy vehicle safety and productivity.
“These new initiatives contribute collectively to better heavy vehicle industry safety, education, policy and practice in Australia,” Mr Petroccitto said.
“The NHVR is looking forward to working with the winning bids to ensure the projects deliver safety outcomes for all road users.”
CEO of OzHelp Foundation Darren Black said he was pleased the funding would support their crucial work.
“OzHelp looks forward to working closely with the Federal Government and NHVR to improve the mental health and wellbeing of truck drivers whom we know work in one of Australia’s most high-risk work environments,” he said.
“This grant will enable us to focus on the delivery of proactive early intervention programs and support services in a pilot that targets those most in need and hardest to reach, the small operators and owner drivers.”
Other safety initiatives to receive funding in 2019-20 include:
- Truck Fire Prevention Strategy in Victoria
- Women in Trucking Australia Road Safety Campaign;
- Funding a Crane Safety liaison officer
- Expansion of the National Safety Camera Network
For more information visit www.nhvr.gov.au/hvsi