Consultation has opened on the next round of heavy vehicle safety programs to be administered by the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator.

Federal Infrastructure and Transport Minister Darren Chester said the Federal Government would provide $3.8 million a year to support the Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiative program benefiting both freight operators and the community.

“I want to hear from operators and industry on the next round of safety initiatives and ensure that funding for heavy vehicle safety continues to hit the mark,” Chester says. 

“Australia’s truck drivers help get our exports to the world, help get food from farmers to families and freight from Point A to Point B and we are serious about making our roads safer for all road users, including heavy vehicle drivers who play such a valuable role in our national economy.

“The Federal Government is supporting a number of current programs under the Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiative including information on Chain of Responsibility, support to develop Industry Codes of Practice and Automatic Number Plate Recognition cameras.

“We are also investing $254.6 million under our Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Program in better roads and rest facilities for heavy vehicles throughout the nation.

“There were 208 fatalities involving heavy vehicles across Australia in 2015–16 and I want to see that number continue to decline.”

NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto welcomed the funding and acknowledged the extensive work many heavy vehicle operators and peak bodies had already undertaken.

“We don’t pretend to have all the answers, which is why we are asking heavy vehicle operators and peak industry bodies to harness their existing knowledge and apply for funding where appropriate,” Mr Petroccitto said.

“We are particularly looking at programs that can be delivered nationally to enhance safety across the heavy vehicle industry and therefore the safety of all road users.”

Applications will close 21 March, 2017. More information is available here.