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Six Things To Feel Good About

six things to feel good about

This week has been a positive one for news about the trucking industry and PowerTorque presents six things to feel good about for our industry from the last few days.

The Public Like Truckies

81 per cent of Australians say truck drivers are considerate and drive well around other road users, according to research conducted for the National Road Transport Association. Conversely, NatRoad also reports that almost four-in-ten say they can recall an incident in the last month involving a truckie driving poorly.

96 per cent of Australian drivers feel they drive well around trucks, but this drops to 48 percent when they are asked about other people.

These take-outs come from a national study conducted by independent consultants StollzNow Research who canvassed an online panel of 1000 people aged 18 and above. The research reflects some surprising outcomes but also overwhelming support for driver education and licence testing having a greater focus on truck awareness.

“Awareness and good behaviour on the road by Australians towards trucks is well understood, if not always practised,” said NatRoad Chairman, Scott Davidson.

six things to feel good about

Supporting Diversity 

The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator has recently added a number of accessibility and language features to its website, to continue to support the diverse range of customers from across the industry. One-in-five Australians encounter barriers when online due to having a disability, learning difficulty, visual impairment, or speak English as a second language.

“You can activate this support by clicking on the ‘Accessibility tools’ button in the top-right corner of the NHVR website,” Michelle said Michelle Tayler, NHVR Corporate Affairs Executive Director. “This will add the Recite Me toolbar to the top of the site. Accessibility is extremely important to us, and we’re committed to ensuring we help everyone online to view content in a way that works best for them.”

Try it out here. 

six things to feel good about

Four Aussie Teams Through to VISTA 2022 Semi-finals

“VISTA is the world’s largest Service Market Competition” said Martin Merrick, President & CEO of Volvo Group Australia. “For everyone who takes part, there are opportunities to learn with your colleagues and be a part of a winning team!”

This year, 84 teams from Australia and 22 teams from New Zealand signed up to enter VISTA. Teams competed in two theory rounds and a pit-stop challenge for the chance to make it to the semi-finals.

Two teams from VCV Sydney Prestons, one from CMV Derrimut and one from VCV Brisbane North made the Australian semi-finals, while teams from Truck Stop Lower Hutt and Whangarei will represent New Zealand.

six things to feel good about

Owner Driver Legislation

The Western Australian Government has introduced the Owner-Driver (Contracts and Disputes) Amendment Bill 2022 to the WA Parliament with the aim to make improvements for a safe and sustainable transport Industry.

The bill will set enforceable minimum notice periods for the termination of owner-driver contracts and strengthen the current Tribunal’s powers and jurisdiction regarding owner-driver contract disputes.

“We’re pleased the WA Government is taking steps to improve the WA Road Freight Transport Industry by supporting owner-operators in disputes and cost recovery,” said Tim Dawson, TWU State Secretary. “This is a win for truckies that will help make the roads in WA safer. The commitment to review the exclusion of couriers and smaller transport vehicles is crucial to ensure no transport worker falls through the cracks, incentivising work being pushed away from reputable operators and towards exploited workers through gig-style arrangements like Amazon Flex.”

six things to feel good about

Hino Parts Win Again

Hino Australia’s global leadership in parts and service has once again been recognised by Hino Motors Limited in Japan, with the continued development of the local branch of the business placing it at the forefront worldwide.

For the 14th consecutive year, Hino Australia has won the Parts Department of the Year Award, while also claiming the Service Department of the Year Award for the 11th straight occasion.

“To once again be recognised with these two awards, plus the Parts Excellence Award, is thanks to the outstanding people we have working to support Hino customers here in Australia,” said Greg Bleasel, Vice President – Product Support for Hino Australia. “The last couple of years have been a challenge for all of Australia, but the hard work and dedication of the Hino dealer network, plus head office, continues to shine through.

six things to feel good about

Aussie Technology Into Europe

Projecta, has taken positive first steps to introduce Aussie technology into Europe, forging a new relationship with leading Dutch tool and equipment distributor, Serenco, while also exhibiting at ‘Autopromotec’, Italy’s largest automotive aftermarket exhibition.

Part of the Brown & Watson International (BWI) stable, Projecta is an Australian market-leader in the battery maintenance and power products industry, with its technology providing many potential opportunities for the brand in Europe, according to Ray Buttigieg, General Manager, International sales at BWI,.

“BWI has aspired to take Projecta to the world for some time now, and the chance to partner with respected tool and equipment distributor Serenco in the Netherlands to promote our jump starter program was the ideal first step,” said Ray. “Through Serenco’s broad retail distribution channels, we’re able to reach new customers in the Netherlands, France, Italy and throughout Scandinavia.”

six things to feel good about

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