An Upper House inquiry, announced last week, has been established into the pressures on heavy vehicle drivers and their impact in New South Wales.
The inquiry will examine the extent, nature and impact of pressures on heavy vehicle driver practice and how regulatory obligations are observed according to Cate Faehrmann MLC, Chair of Portfolio Committee No. 6 – Transport and the Arts.
“In particular, the committee will investigate how these pressures contribute to over height vehicle incidents and the use of rest areas and other fatigue management practices,” said Faehrmann.
“The committee is also interested in exploring the impact, effectiveness and enforcement of current mechanisms to address the pressures on heavy vehicle drivers, including training and education requirements, penalties for over height vehicle incidents, and the availability, suitability and accessibility of heavy vehicle rest areas in metropolitan Sydney and rural and regional New South Wales,” continued the statement by Faehrmann.
The committee, in addition, will consider the capability for new and emerging technologies to assist in reducing pressures for heavy vehicle drivers.
The committee welcomes submissions from heavy vehicle drivers, other interested stakeholders, and members of the community.
The closing date for submissions is 18 September 2023, with committee activity to follow later in the year.
