Heavy vehicle drivers
Approximately 12 heavy vehicle drivers and 59 other road users are killed each year on Victoria's roads from crashes involving heavy vehicles.
A number of issues are relevant to reducing the incidence of road crashes involving heavy vehicles:
Increase in the freight task: An efficient road freight industry is vital to Victoria’s economy. Forecasts by the Bureau of Transport and Regional Economics (BTRE) predict the freight task in Australia will double by 2020 with road transport being the dominant mode. The challenge and task ahead is to develop and implement strategies which more than offset the impact of this growth. The Government is also committed to developing strategies aimed at increasing the amount of freight transported by rail.
Heavy vehicle crash responsibility: Research shows that heavy vehicle drivers are responsible, or partly responsible, for only 30 per cent of fatal crashes involving trucks. Well developed and targeted education campaigns play an important part in making all road users aware of how to interact safely with heavy vehicles.
Seatbelt use: A significant contributor to heavy vehicle driver deaths and serious injuries is the low seatbelt wearing rates of these drivers. It is estimated that 40 per cent to 50 per cent of heavy vehicle driver deaths could be prevented if seatbelt use rates were similar to those achieved in passenger vehicles. Education programs, targeted enforcement and OHS regulations that require employers to ensure safe operations for workers are important measures to reduce risks to heavy vehicle drivers from non-use of seatbelts.
Safer roads: Ongoing improvements to road and roadside infrastructure will help to support the anticipated growth in heavy vehicle traffic without increases in truck crash casualties. The provision of strategically located rest stops for heavy vehicles is a key initiative to reduce fatigue risks for heavy vehicle drivers.
Speed management: Around seven per cent of heavy vehicle drivers exceed the posted speed limit on country roads. It is estimated that if heavy vehicle speeding was completely eliminated, around 25 per cent of serious casualties involving a heavy vehicle could be prevented.
While there is a requirement for heavy vehicles to be fitted with speed limiters, data indicates that there are many non-compliant heavy vehicles on the road. Targeted enforcement of heavy vehicles for speed limit compliance is a key element in improving safety for all road users.
Driver impairment: Surveys indicate that fatigued driving is a regular part of the work experience of many heavy vehicle drivers. Further, there is a close relationship between fatigue and illicit drug use, with some heavy vehicle drivers using illicit stimulant drugs to manage the impact of fatigue. Improving the management of the heavy vehicle industry through the enforcement of legislation such as that related to Chain of Responsibility and OHS will improve working conditions and reduce the incidence of impaired driving by heavy vehicle drivers. The Chain of Responsibility means that anybody, not just the driver, who has control in a transport operation can be held responsible for breaches of road laws and may be made legally liable.
Safer heavy vehicles: Heavy vehicles with improved seatbelt systems, improved cabin strength and better underrun protection have the potential to improve safety for all road users. These improvements could be achieved through the introduction of Australian Design Rules for heavy vehicle cabin strength, and front, rear and side underrun protection.
What the strategy will do
Measures taken under the arrive alive 2008-2017 strategy to improve the safety of heavy vehicle drivers and all road users will include:
- Improving road and roadside infrastructure to better accommodate heavy vehicles and the forecast increase in the freight task.
- Undertaking education campaigns to increase awareness of risks for heavy vehicle drivers and all road users who interact with heavy vehicles.
- Investigating changes to Australian Design Rules to improve the safety of heavy vehicles.
- Targeting enforcement of speed, seatbelt, Chain of Responsibility and OHS laws.
- Targeting enforcement of drug/drink driving within the heavy vehicle industry.
- Encouraging the fitting of intelligent seatbelt reminder systems.
