| The National Heavy Vehicle Register (NHVR) have announced that consultation is currently underway to assess the health of Australia’s 520,000-strong heavy vehicle fleet.
NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto said inspections will be randomly conducted by authorised officers later this year at roadside check points and in depots throughout Australia. Each vehicle will have a comprehensive visual inspection, expected to take up to 45 minutes. The survey will seek to measure the overall roadworthiness of heavy vehicles using a sample of approximately 9000 heavy vehicles, including rigid, articulated, “For the first time in Australia, we’ll be conducting a national survey of heavy vehicle roadworthiness using trained inspectors to gather consistent safety information,” Mr Petroccitto said. “Different data is currently compiled by each state and territory which means that the roadworthiness of heavy vehicles nationally is unclear. It’s a fundamental roadblock to understanding the safety of the fleet and to achieving national consistency. “The National Roadworthy Baseline Survey is on track to roll out in August and September and we’ll be speaking to the industry and government in the coming months to discuss the impacts. “For the first time all heavy vehicle inspections will rely on a consistent inspection manual, also due to be adopted nationally in the coming months. This health check of the heavy vehicle fleet is an important building block to a nationally consistent inspection system.” |