The national regulator's new exemption notice allows certain drivers to work varying hours to help supply the flood-impacted Kimberley Region in northern WA that are in desperate need of supplies.
The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) has announced a new fatigue exemption notice to allow drivers to work varying hours to deliver supplies to flood-impacted northern Western Australia.
The NHVR has combined with Main Roads Western Australia and the South Australian Department for Infrastructure and Transport to deliver the new notice allowing drivers operating under the National Class 3 Supplementary Access (WA Assistance) Exemption Notice to legally operate under exemption work and rest hours instead of standard hours when transiting through South Australia.
NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto says drivers working for an operator that holds current accreditation through WA Heavy Vehicle Accreditation (WAHVA) can use the new exemption notice when operating under the adjusted conditions.
“In addition to the WAHVA requirement, to use this fatigue exemption, drivers must be delivering goods from southern WA to the flood-affected Kimberley Region and have had a medical check in the past three years if aged 49 or younger, or in the past year if aged 50 or older,” Petroccitto says.
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The NHVR has also recently extended the National Class 3 Supplementary Access (WA Assistance) Exemption Notice until June 30 this year.
“The extension of the notice is an important step in supporting the ongoing recovery efforts in the flood-affected regions in the north of WA by authorising the continued access of Class 3 heavy vehicles that are road trains up to 53.5m in length to a specified network from WA to SA,” Petroccitto says.
“We ask that drivers of these vehicles please remember that the roads on this route are not designed for these longer vehicles and to exercise particular caution and drive carefully when travelling to and from the affected regions.”