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SA gives clues to inspection scheme failure rate

Heavy Vehicle Inspection Scheme seen as more thorough than roadside blitzes

 

Insight has been offered on the Heavy Vehicle Inspection Scheme (HVIS) figures South Australian transport minister Stephan Knoll highlighted last week in an update on the scheme.

The figures point to an apparent disconnect between the rate of non-compliance of trucks checked on resale under the recently enacted scheme and those that come under scrutiny during safety compliance operations, which are now conducted under through the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR).

The response also puts the nation’s hefty average fleet age into sharp relief.

The department acknowledges a previous NHVR response that roadside inspection blitzes and the Heavy Vehicle Inspection Scheme (HVIS) results are consistent with the NHVR’s National Roadworthiness Baseline Survey from late 2016.

“There are several differences between roadside inspections and those conducted under the HVIS that highlight the need for periodic inspections,” a departmental spokesperson tells ATN.

“Change of ownership inspections conducted under the HVIS are often the first time a current owner has had their vehicle inspected.

“Over 65 per cent of the vehicles are over 10 years of age from manufacture, so the change of ownership inspections are potentially undertaken at the end of the vehicle’s life. 

“Most vehicles have never undergone an inspection in their lifetime as they have not been captured by on-road compliance activities conducted by South Australia Police, DPTI and the NHVR.

“Additionally, on-road compliance inspections are not as thorough as workshop inspections, which use additional plant and equipment against the criteria outlined in the National Heavy Vehicle Inspection Manual to produce a systematic inspection outcome.”


Read how Stephan Knoll released the HVIS figures and update, here


The spokesperson point out that NHVR issued a safety bulletin in December 2018 highlighting the risks associated with carrying out visual inspections on heavy vehicles that haven’t been appropriately cleaned and prepared so that possible safety, compliance and maintenance issues can be readily identified, saying: “This is not achievable in an on-road compliance activity.”

All vehicles identified with faults are required to undergo repairs and pass an inspection before South Australian registration is granted.

“Some trucks have not presented again for inspection and may have been beyond repair in terms of costs,” the spokesperson says.

Since the scheme began, the exact number of vehicles inspected is 4,756, as at the end of Wednesday, 30 October 30.

Of these, 2,854 have failed an initial inspection.

Common faults identified included brakes (1,457), steering and suspension (1,430), structure (1,254) and engine driveline (1,040).

 

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