The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator has issued a warning to heavy vehicle drivers to remain vigilant when travelling down steep grades after multiple recent crashes and near misses.
Both the Bulli Pass and Mount Ousley have been the scenes of serious incidents on steep grades, which NHVR Director of Central Region Brett Patterson says is majorly concerning.
“Over the past few years, we have seen many trucks lose control down these steep descents, leading to serious damage to both vehicles and infrastructure, delays and serious road trauma,” he says.
“Just last month, there was a tragic fatal incident on Bulli Pass where a truck travelling down the descent went through the guardrail and down an embankment at the hairpin bend.
“The NHVR is also aware of several dangerous close calls, where heavy vehicles have had to use safety ramps or arrester beds to avoid an incident.”
Steep descents can present a significant safety risk to heavy vehicles, with the spate of recent collisions raising concern about the safety of drivers travelling down these roads.
The NHVR is reminding drivers to follow the steep descent warning signs and shift to a low gear before beginning a descent, to ensure they maintain a safe, controlled speed and prevent excessive wear on brakes.
In NSW, if the driver of a truck or bus is driving on a road to which a ‘trucks and buses low gear’ sign applies, the driver must drive the vehicle in a gear that is low enough to limit the speed without the use of a primary brake.
“Drivers shouldn’t over-rely on brakes, as they can overheat – by selecting a low enough gear that they can descend without use of the service brake, the service brake can be used in an emergency without having the brake overheat,” Brett says.
“Drivers and operators should also frequently be inspecting and maintaining their brakes, faulty brakes can drastically reduce the ability to stop safely, particularly in emergencies.”
The NHVR says drivers should always plan their journey, taking both descents and rest stops into account, with the operator also needing to take the skill and experience of the driver into consideration.
“Unfortunately, descents like Bulli Pass are becoming notorious for vehicle accidents – that’s why we’re calling for drivers to always err on the side of caution, to protect themselves, and all other road users,” Brett says.
“Keep an eye out for the road signs that apply, follow their directions and never go over the limit – safety should be the top priority.”
