NTC in plea to heavy duty truck drivers for help in HVNL review research
The National Transport Commission (NTC) has shone more light on the parlous state of official trucking industry knowledge with a plea for more truck drivers to aid research.
In collaboration with industry and governments, the NTC is working with the Cooperative Research Centre for Alertness, Safety and Productivity (Alertness CRC) to evaluate the impacts of the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) on heavy vehicle driver fatigue.
But according to NTC chief executive Paul Retter not enough evidence exists about the cause and impact of fatigue to determine the changes needed in fatigue policy.
“The heavy vehicle industry requires more flexibility in fatigue regulation, however first we need to better understand fatigue and the road safety challenges it represents,” Retter says.
“There is a lack of comparable data, and data in general, on fatigue risks associated with heavy vehicle driving. We need robust evidence to underpin any future reforms of the fatigue regulations in the HVNL.”
Read about issues related to this fatigue research effort here
A new NTC video about the research project explores both the real-world and laboratory phases of the study with the view of encouraging more drivers to take part.
“Drivers are vital in helping us understand fatigue. We need more drivers and operators to take up this valuable opportunity to share their experiences,” Retter says.
The research phase of the project is due for completion at the end of 2018. The NTC will present findings to transport ministers in May 2019.
This project is part of the NTC’s broader work program which focusses on improving road safety outcomes. For more information, see the NTC website.