NSW Government set to begin consultation with industry on pilot of electronic work diaries in heavy vehicles
April 12, 2010
The NSW Government is set to begin consultation with industry on the pilot of electronic work diaries in heavy vehicles in order to further improve road safety.
Minister Assisting the Minister for Transport and Roads David Borger says $9 million has been allocated under the Government’s road safety package to improve safety for the heavy vehicle industry and all road users.
This money will not only fund the pilot of electronic work diaries, but will also double the number of chain-of-responsibility investigators to 10 and look at a five-star heavy vehicle accreditation scheme that will reward operators who have invested in quality and safety management systems by improving their market-place visibility, he says.
“Trucking safety is a major priority. We will work in collaboration with the heavy vehicle industry to put a strong focus on road safety,” says Borger.
“Use of electronic work diaries has the potential to improve the accuracy and integrity of driving and speed records and bring about better compliance with heavy vehicle fatigue and speed laws.
“That’s why we’re keen to work with industry over the coming months to develop a pilot of this technology and assess how businesses and drivers can incorporate it into their day to day activities and assist in complying with existing fatigue laws.
“The use of electronic work diaries will bring NSW into the 21st century, matching international practices already established across Europe and North America.”
The results of the NSW pilot will provide valuable information for the development of national policy on the use of electronic work diaries, Borger adds.
” … NSW is keen to work with other jurisdictions on the pilot program,” he says.
Lindsay Fox, a key proponent of electronic diaries, welcomed the NSW Government’s heavy vehicle road safety package and says the State is leading the road safety agenda, including chain of responsibility reform.
“Safety is the cornerstone of our business and we welcome the Government’s efforts to undertake further initiatives that seek to make the roads safer for our community,” he says.
“As EWDs have been successfully operating internationally, we believe now is the right time for Government to support the emergence locally. We welcome today’s resourcing of that effort.
“I have long said the next stage in the battle against vehicle accidents can best be won though the adaptation of new and emerging technologies.
“Linfox stands ready to assist the NSW Government as it seeks to develop operational standards for the use of electronic work diaries.”
Borger says the heavy vehicles safety strategies support the Government’s aim to make NSW roads as safe as possible for all road users.
“With the addition of point-to-point cameras and the establishment of a network of major heavy vehicle rest areas, these initiatives show just how committed we are to road safety in NSW,” he says.
Borger says point-to-point road speed cameras are being rolled out at 20 regional locations across NSW. Each camera will be clearly marked, with warning signs posted at the start and end of these lengths of roads, and will detect the speed a heavy vehicle travels between the two points. If the speed detected is higher than the road limit, drivers will be fined.