At the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR), we are determined to ensure Australia has one of the safest heavy vehicle fleets in the world. This is why we are currently undertaking our National Roadworthiness Survey for the third time across all Australian states and territories.
NHVR Safety and Compliance Officers are currently conducting random visual and mechanical inspections of around 8,500 trucks, buses, and other Special Purpose Vehicles. Through these inspections, we are collecting critical data which is enabling us to identify existing and emerging risk trends, to enhance road safety across the heavy vehicle industry.
The first iteration of the survey was carried out in 2016, under the National Roadworthiness Baseline Survey (NRBS). At the time, this was the most comprehensive assessment of mechanical condition of the national fleet ever undertaken, with authorised officers inspecting 7,130 vehicles across participating states.
The results of the checks allowed the NHVR to gain a clearer picture of the national state of heavy vehicle roadworthiness, serving as a first step towards raising that overall standard.
After the NRBS, the NHVR continued to monitor the fleet by conducting the NRS 2021. Throughout NRS 2021, authorised officers from the NHVR and partner agencies conducted the random mechanical inspections of 8,339 vehicles between May and July, across all Australia’s states in regional and metropolitan areas. It was a massive undertaking by all involved.
This year’s survey is now well and truly underway, which is pleasing as it presents an opportunity for the NHVR to put our borderless approach to regulation to practice. Through the NRS, we are able to accelerate harmonisation across borders, one of the NHVR’s biggest goals post transition of services in Queensland.
Initiatives like the NRS are crucial to driving a safer industry. We developed the National Roadworthiness program in late 2014 to find ways to reduce the safety, economic, and environmental impacts of unroadworthy heavy vehicles, and to improve safety on our roads.
The survey allows our organisation to monitor the makeup of the nation’s heavy vehicle fleet and gain an understanding into levels of mechanical compliance and areas that pose a risk to road safety.
Through the mechanical inspections of heavy vehicles by authorised officers, we are able to collect the information needed to determine where both the NHVR and industry are making improvements in vehicle safety, and where we should turn our focus to.
As some may have noticed, the inspections are currently occurring at roadside inspection sites and depots across the country. Buses are primarily being inspected at their depots to take advantage of operational downtime given the difficulties of intercepting them during normal operations.
It’s important that drivers and operators factor adequate time into their scheduling to accommodate inspections times, which average around 45 minutes, depending on the vehicle type and if there are defects identified. I would like to remind drivers and operators that these inspections are mandatory, and they are for the benefit of industry.
We appreciate the survey may cause some disruption for drivers and operators whose vehicles are stopped and understand the importance of keeping the heavy vehicle supply chain moving. Our officers are ensuring minimal disruption occurs and have been vigilant in carrying out these inspections as efficiently as they can.
We are working alongside industry during this time to ensure the survey is effective and runs smoothly. We understand that industry works to tight schedules and deadlines, and I would like to thank all businesses and individuals who have been or will be impacted by the survey for their cooperation with our on-road officers.
The results from this year’s NRS, which is due to conclude in October, will be compared to both the 2016 NRBS and subsequent NRS 2021. Through the survey, we will build stronger partnerships and knowledge sharing between jurisdictions, our organisation and industry via the analysis and public release of the survey findings.
Results from NRS 2021 showed the rate of non-conformities had dropped significantly in comparison to 2016, and we are hoping this downward trend continues.
Results from NRS 2024 will help inform the NHVR’s modern approach to regulation, that uses data and intelligence to address the greatest safety risks on our roads and keep our heavy vehicle industry productive and efficient.
To find out more go to www.nhvr.gov.au and search for NRS 2024.
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Paul Salvati is the NHVR’s chief operations officer. He has worked with the NHVR since 2019.