This week the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator’s dobbing line is one year old. The service is more correctly called the Heavy Vehicle Confidential Reporting Line (HVCRL) and it has taken almost 1,500 calls in its first year of operation.
The line is intended for use by truck drivers and supply chain coordinators. The idea is for them to be able to report unsafe practices confidentially if they see them in the course of their work.
If anyone comes across problems with business practices, fatigue, mass, dimension or loading issues, speeding concerns or vehicle standards or safety problems, they can call the number provided and report whatever it is which has caused concern. It is important to note here that someone spotting a speeding truck should not phone this number, give that one to the local police to track down.
“What the hotline provides is a safe, confidential way for people to report unsafe or unfair practices,” said Aarron Unger, NHVR National Intelligence Coordinator. “Over the past year the hotline has proved incredibly necessary in making our roads safer for everyone.
“It’s provided our Investigations team with the information they need to look into the minority of organisations across all duty holders that are doing the wrong thing. We’ve received almost 1,500 calls, accounting for almost 900 individual reports with fatigue, mechanical safety and business practices the things that are coming up consistently from callers.
“We’ve also recently moved the hotline within the NHVR, after an initial phase with CrimeStoppers, so that people can be assured that they will get someone on the end of the line with the right expertise. I’d encourage anyone with a safety concern to call 1800 931 785. The hotline is staffed 7am-4.30pm (AEST) Monday to Friday.”
According to the NHVR, the Hotline is intended to improve safety in the industry by allowing people to report appropriate information which may include:
- an incident or situation which affects the safety of a heavy vehicle or its operation
- a procedure, practice or condition which endangers the safety of a heavy vehicle driver, their passengers, other road users or the community
- a procedure, practice or condition which leads to non-compliance with Heavy Vehicle National Law.
The Heavy Vehicle Confidential Reporting Hotline was funded by the Australian Government through a $250,000 grant from the Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiative.
