Safety Inquiry into Long Haul Trucking Industry

Submission to Professor Michael Quinlan, University of NSW, 21st June 2000

As a community road safety group of some eight years standing the HSAG welcomes this inquiry into the long haul tricking industry.

At the HSAG's inaugural meeting in Orange in 1992 attended by 400 people, compulsory installation of tackographs in all heavy vehicles was one of three issues that people wanted to see addressed. The meeting followed the death of a local journalist and two others in a space of six weeks on the Great Western Highway, in accidents involving heavy vehicles. No fault was attached to the drivers of the motor vehicles.

Over the years the HSAG has had a close association with the RTA through the Alternative Compliance and Safe -T- Cam Consultative Committees, the National Road Transport Commission and the Road Transport Forum. We have worked consistently towards the establishment of realistic standards and conditions for the drivers of heavy vehicles in NSW.

Our submissions and representations have always taken into account the human factor, including defining the number of hours a driver can sit behind in one stretch, rather than limit them to a maximum number of hours per fortnight. We remain concerned about the hours that drivers are putting in behind the wheel without a proper break and the conditions of the roads on which they drive.

Much of our evidence is anecdotal, gleaned from our years in looking at transport issues across NSW. In its eight-year-life the HSAG has received innumerable calls from the wives of heavy vehicle drivers concerned about:

· The excessive demands placed upon drivers to meet unrealistic deadlines;

· Lack of consideration for human capabilities and compliance with driving hours, and;

· The fact that log books record driving hours only and that time spent loading and unloading is not taken into consideration.

The HSAG has consistently lobbied to have our railway infrastructure upgraded so more freight can be put on trains, thereby removing trucks from out state roads and improving safety conditions. We regard this as integral to discussions on the long haul trucking industry and recommend its inclusion in this inquiry.

We trust that you will take our comments into consideration.