The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) has announced the establishment of its specialist off-road team, dedicated to investigating allegations relating to off-road parties.
As an investigative team, it will focus on those practising unsafe management of transport activities, or those who do not follow regulations and make commercial requests that require drivers to speed or drive under fatigue.
NHVR executive director Raymond Hassall says it is trying to enforce offences by parties within the Chain of Responsibility more efficiently and effectively.
“Our priority is ensuring everyone who works with heavy vehicles, including the parties who contract with transport operators, are accountable for safety,” he says.
“Since the 2018 introduction of safety duties in the Heavy Vehicle National Law, more than 40 primary duty prosecutions have commenced with a focus on director level activities that contribute to serious safety offences.
“We know it is critical that we increase our efforts to focus more directly on the other parties in the chain and their role in ensuring safety.”
The investigative team will particularly rely on data gathered through the Heavy Vehicle Confidential Reporting Line (HVCRL) alongside the NHVR’s analysis and risk team to analyse transport intelligence to target the greatest safety risks.
The Chain of Responsibility team at the NHVR now includes:
- Dedicated off-road investigative team
- Major investigations unit tasked with responding to allegations of serious and systemic noncompliance
- National prosecution team to litigate HVNL matters in metropolitan and regional courts
“The NHVR has established advisory material to ensure all parties are aware of key safety risks associated with the use of heavy vehicles and their controls,” Hassall says.
“The success of our new off-road investigative team will depend, in part, on the quality of information we obtain suggesting non-compliance.
“If you are a transport operator, a driver or a loved one who is aware of dangerous commercial pressures or safety practices arising from the activities of off-road parties, we encourage you to contact the HVCRL and talk to our trained assessment staff.”