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NHVR campaign focus on illegal engine remapping

Two-phase education campaign targets remapping and speed limiter tampering risks

The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) is launching an education campaign to highlight health and safety risks caused by illegal engine remapping.

The campaign will focus on educating the heavy vehicle industry and public on the harmful effects that engine remapping can have on heavy vehicle drivers and logistics workers, as well as communities and the environment.

The campaign will be delivered in two phases, with an initial focus on the exposure that toxic diesel emissions can have due to engine remapping. 

Research from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) January 2017 Motor Vehicle Census indicates remapped engines can release up to 60 times more pollutants into the atmosphere, which can cause damage to the health and safety of workplaces, communities and the environment.

The second stage of the campaign will focus on remapped engines that disable speed limiter controls.

With recent compliance checks via the Transport for New South Wales (TfNSW) heavy vehicle compliance checks 2019-2021  indicating up to 10 per cent of all heavy vehicles are operating with illegally remapped engines, the danger is significant and can cause serious injury, the regulator notes.


How NHVR has been prosecuting illegal remapping, here


NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto says the campaign is an opportunity for the NHVR to work collaboratively with the heavy vehicle industry to remove engine remapping and improve safety.

 “The NHVR’s highest priority is safety and we’ll continue to focus on compliance while delivering education and awareness through information like the engine remapping campaign,” Petroccitto says.

“By and large, our industry does the right thing, but occasionally we see unsafe practices occurring and it’s our job as a regulator to lead change. 

“Whether you’re an owner, driver, mechanic, part of the supply chain or a light vehicle driver, engine remapping puts everyone at risk.”

Federal Assistant Minister for Road Safety and Freight Transport Scott Buchholz says the campaign is important in helping draw attention to greater health and safety benefits across the heavy vehicle industry.

“You might not immediately realise the dangers of illegal engine remapping, but it’s a serious issue and one that the industry as a whole can control and eradicate,” Buchholz says.

“I congratulate the NHVR for their stand on this issue and look forward to progress being made.”

The NHVR will run a series of engine remapping campaign messages across outdoor advertising, across publications and via social media.

“Let’s all clear the air over illegal engine remapping and stop speed limiter tampering in its tracks,” Petroccitto says.

For more information on the campaign, risks and penalties are available here

 

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