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Fixing Fatigue

Here’s an opportunity for the trucking industry to get its input into developing driver fatigue laws. A discussion paper released by the National Transport Commission (NTC) is looking for suggestions on how to collect better data to inform improvements to heavy vehicle driver fatigue laws.

The paper proposes systems and processes to make a consistent framework to support comparable and accessible data across industry, governments and enforcement agencies. According to the NTC, when all the evidence is on the table it will be possible to determine whether the current regulations are appropriate.

 

Paul Retter NTC CEO

 

 

“This project won’t be proposing changes to Australia’s fatigue laws, but it will ensure that we have consistent and more accurate data about how fatigue affects drivers and the safety of our nation’s roads,” said Paul Retter, NTC CEO. “We know that drowsy drivers are more likely to crash. Finding the best option to prevent these crashes relies on us developing a framework that may be used to inform changes to policy settings and amendments to fatigue laws.”

 

 

The Heavy Vehicle National Law has prescriptive work and rest hour rules, in addition to chain of responsibility obligations and an overarching duty not to drive while impaired by fatigue.

 

 

“At the moment there is no simple test for driver alertness like there is for alcohol or speed, because fatigue levels are relatively difficult to establish and measure,” said Retter. “In the future new technologies may be able to tell drivers whether they are in a fit condition to drive. The challenge is to collect enough robust evidence about what fatigue level should be considered safe.

 

 

“We know that hours of work are not the only cause of fatigue. Crash data indicates that other factors, such as times of travel, and quality and quantity of sleep also impact on driver fatigue. Collecting information after a crash has occurred can only tell us what didn’t work. What we need is information about everyday operations and practices that can tell us what keeps drivers safe. This will support any future improvements to the law.

 

 

“This is an opportunity for transport operators and drivers to demonstrate real life practices that help drivers do their jobs and keep safe.”

 

 

A copy of the NTC’s discussion paper is available on the NTC website.

 

Submissions can be lodged here before October 16.

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