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ATA calls for flexibility in advanced fatigue regulation

If current parts of the draft fatigue laws pass through, the ATA says up to 480 truck drivers and 24 businesses may be impacted by the fatigue limits

The Australian Trucking Association (ATA) says transport ministers should reconsider parts of current truck driver fatigue laws to instil more flexibility for Australian drivers.

An ATA submission says ministers should rethink the parts of the exposure draft package that would limit the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator’s (NHVR) ability to set the work and rest hours for drivers working under advanced fatigue management systems.

The ATA says the suggested limits would require the NHVR to restrict the operations of 24 trucking businesses, who operate safely and productively every day.

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This means that more than 480 truck drivers would be impacted by the limits and would have to spend more time away from home to do the same work.

Eminent sleep scientist Professor Drew Dawson says in a letter to the National Transport Commission (NTC) that the proposed changes appeared to significantly reduce the opportunity for operators to increase flexibility and safety with an approved accreditation system.

“There is no published data that justifies this choice or indicates that doing so will likely improve safety,” Dawson says.

“In my view, the opposite is likely to be true. That is, there is considerable potential to reduce safety and operational flexibility.”

The ATA submission argues that the NHVR should be able to set the work and rest hours and split rest rules for the businesses and drivers who work under these advanced systems, often with the use of fatigue detection technology.

If this recommendation is not adopted, the ATA says ministers should specify a fatigue risk management standard for the regulator to follow, rather than setting arbitrary limits in the regulations.

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