Queensland begins enforcing chain of responsibility for speed, holding all parties in the supply chain accountable
By Brad Gardner | July 1, 2010
Queensland will enforce chain of responsibility for speed from today, holding all parties in the supply chain accountable for the delivery of freight.
Consignors, employers, loading managers and prime contractors can now be fined or hauled before a court if a driver is forced to speed to make a deadline.
The law has already been introduced in NSW, Victoria and South Australia and adds to the chain of responsibility framework that includes overloading and fatigue.
Queensland Minister for Transport Rachel Nolan says the new laws will increase road safety and off-road parties can be fined up to $8000, with repeat offenders likely to face heftier penalties.
“The laws are preventative in nature and give drivers protection from unachievable work demands that may cause them to speed while on the job,” Nolan says.
“In the past, only drivers have been the target for heavy vehicle speeding compliance, but from today off-road parties who aren’t behind the wheel will also be the focus, making them more accountable for ensuring drivers aren’t influenced to speed because of unrealistic work demands.”
The law applies to all vehicles over 4.5 tonnes.
Queensland Trucking Association CEO Peter Garske says the industry supports the law.
While drivers will still be held accountable, Garske says there is clear message the supply chain “can be given a decent whack” if a truck speeds.
The Department of Transport and Main Roads ran briefing sessions prior to the introduction of the laws and Garske says the QTA has also informed its members of the reform.
“We’ve given it plenty of publicity the last couple of months,” he says.
The law also holds accountable those caught tampering with speed limiters.
Nolan says it is the first time operators can be fined for tampering or entering into contracts with parties that give incentives for a driver to speed.
Garske, who chairs a government and industry heavy vehicle safety forum, says speed limiter tampering is “a blight on our industry”.
“I look forward to the first prosecution,” he says.