Message from the CEO
Stay fatigue safe during the lead up to Christmas
The NHVR will Focus on Fatigue over the coming month with announcements, information and compliance operations.
This includes the recent extension of the Personal Use Exemption to include drivers accredited to use Advance and Basic Fatigue Management schemes.
Our most recent Operation Wake Up in April this year intercepted more than 3500 vehicles for fatigue checks and found that drivers under BFM and AFM were well above the average compliance rate of 93.3 per cent.
With the busy holiday period just around the corner, it’s a timely reminder to everyone about the risks of driving fatigued.
Please tell a mate, whether they are operating a light or heavy vehicle to take care on the roads leading up to the end of the year and avoid driving when fatigued.
Sal
Application call for heavy vehicle safety funding
The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) is calling for funding applications for programs that improve heavy vehicle safety on Australian roads.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said the Federal Government had provided $5.48 million for safety projects for round five of the NHVR’s Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiative (HVSI) program.
“This funding is focused towards groups and projects delivering real safety benefits for the heavy vehicle industry and all road users,” Mr McCormack said.
NHVR expands Personal Use Exemption to AFM and BFM
The NHVR has extended the Personal Use Exemption for drivers operating under Basic Fatigue Management (BFM) and Advanced Fatigue Management (AFM).
The change will mean drivers operating under BFM and AFM will have an additional hour to use their fatigue-regulated heavy vehicle for personal use, which can be utilised during the 24-hour rest break.
Personal Use Exemption for drivers on Standard hours was allowed in 2018 and following industry feedback the NHVR has added the extension to drivers who are eligible for BFM and AFM.
For more information on changes visit www.nhvr.gov.au/fatigue
Application call for heavy vehicle safety funding
Operators will be able to track, in real time, the status of their Vehicle Standards applications in the NHVR Portal from Wednesday 20 November.
The new ‘Case Management’ function will allow operators to log in anytime and see the status of their applications in just a few clicks. This ability to ‘self-service’ will mean operators will no longer need to call the NHVR for updates on processing times.
The new feature follows the launch of the Vehicle Standards service in the NHVR Portal last month, which now allows operators to apply for In-Principle Support, Vehicle Standards Exemption Permits and Heavy Vehicle Modification Approvals in the NHVR Portal.
Sign up to the webinar for a demonstration of the new feature.
If you have any questions about the new services available in the NHVR Portal, please contact the NHVR Call Centre on 1300 MY NHVR (1300 696 487).
Photo via QLD Fire and Emergency Services
Permit applications fasttracked for firefighting response
Heavy vehicle operators should be aware of a large number of heavy vehicle movements taking place in fire-affected areas of Queensland and NSW over the coming days.
The NHVR and road managers have fasttracked a large number of permit applications over the past 24 hours to allow movement heavy vehicles in relation to firefighting operations, including Australian Defence Force vehicles.
Operators travelling in areas affected by firefighting operations should take care and be aware that delays may occur.
Stay up-to-date on road closures due to bushfires at:
• Qld information is available through the Department of Transport and Main Roads at bit.ly/2X3AXzq
• SW information is available through Transport for NSW at bit.ly/371dXpg
Annual report now available
The 2018-19 NHVR Annual Report is now available. The report has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Heavy Vehicle National Law Act 2012 (Qld) and demonstrates how the NHVR has driven sustainable improvements to safety, productivity and efficiency across the Australian heavy vehicle road transport sector.
You can find the Annual Report at the link: https://www.nhvr.gov.au/files/201911-1120-nhvr-2018-19-annual-report-web.pdf
Send us your photos from on the road
We want to see your photos from on the road. Send them to us through the NHVR Facebook page for your chance to be featured.
This sunset photo from Murrami, New South Wales was sent to us by Matt Manning.
