The Hon John Robertson Minister for Transport NSW Minister for the Central Coast GOVERNMENT Mr Russell D Grove Clerk of the Legislative Assembly Parliament of New South Wales Macquarie Street SYDNEY NSW 2000 ( Dear Mr Grove I refer to your correspondence concerning the Legislative Assembly Report No. 4/54 of the Joint Standing Committee on Road Safety - 'Report on Heavy Vehicle Safety'. Upon receipt of the Report advice was sought from both Transport NSW and the Roads and Traffic Authority in respect of the relevant recommendations. I note that much of the Report concentrates solely on the heavy vehicle trucking industry. I would request that during the adoption and implementation phase of any of the Report's recornmendations, that consideration also be given to any implications for the bus and coach industry, which are also classified as heavy vehicles. A detailed response to the recommendations is enclosed for your reference. I trust this information is of assistance. Yours sincerely n Robertson i ister for Transport inister for the Central Coast -Encl- 17 MAR 2011 Governor Macquarie Tower, 1 Farrer Place, Sydney NSW 2000 • GPO Box 5341 , SYDNEY NSW 2001 Tel: (02) 9228 5555 • F: (02) 9228 5249 • www.dpc.nsw.gov.au ~c'" 0 F H-iE""-(~';-"', O"<'\ .J~ ".t..i"· REPORT 4/54 OF THE ,/6"( RECEiVer) ' -9.r JOINT STANDING COMMITTEE ON ROAD S;~FETY -2 1 MAR '0 11 REPORT ON HEAVY VEHICLE SAFET.~X I. ..J.. ~/~ ~v. " ,<"'t~/<""\. c:.~'v. ~~.) _';Tj\I~ ,0... i': . ~.... ~~-\;. - , '- Recommendation 1 The Committee recommends that the Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA), through the Centre for Road Safety, as part of its research based funding, comm ission a study to compare the relevant heavy vehicle driver risk factors in metropolitan and non-metropolitan settings. The identification of disparities in contributing risk factors and the success of strategies employed to date will enable a more targeted approach to intervention measures to be implemented. Position - Supported. Proposed Action The RTA supports this evidence based approach. The RTA will continue to ensure that its research based funding remains carefully targeted at research programs that will yield evidence-based strategies that can be employed to enhance road safety outcomes for the people of NSW. The RTA routinely closely evaluates the results 'of research that it is responsible for funding and works closely with its partners in producing final reports. Where clear evidence emerges of areas that the RTA can target in the current research into heavy vehicle crashes, the RTA will pursue cost-effective strategies to improve safety within the heavy vehicle industry. Recommendation 2 Staysafe notes that The George Institute is currently undertaking a three year action research study into heavy vehicle safety risks. The Committee strongly supports this initiative and recommends that the RTA ensure that its findings are incorporated into policy formulation for future action to improve road safety in NSW. Position - The RTA will further consider this recommendation following the completion of the study. Proposed Action The RTA will closely review the findings of the research conducted by the George Institute into heavy vehicle safety and will incorporate safety strategies that may emerge from its report if relevant. Recommendation 3 In view of recognised and anticipated growth in the heavy vehicle transport industry and a shortage of trained drivers, the Committee recommends that the RTA conduct discussions with TAFE NSW, other vocational training institutions and the heavy vehicle industry to provide increased funding and support for the expansion of driving simulator training in NSW. Position - Not Supported. Proposed Action The RTA will continue to monitor research developments in the use of driving simulators for heavy vehicle training. If evidence-based research that supports the use of driving simulators in heavy vehicle licensing and training, the RTA will evaluate the cost benefit of adopting such an approach. The RT A will continue to monitor the heavy vehicle training industry in order to ensure that there are systems in place to meet the demand for training heavy vehicle licence applicants. The RTA will continue to conduct regular audits of the competency-based assessors in order to ensure that the training and licensing process in NSW remains an example of industry best-practice. Recommendation 4 The Committee also recommends that the NSW Minister for Transport, through the Australian Transport Council agenda, look at other strategies to remove access barriers for entry into the transport industry for heavy vehicle operators. Position - Supported. Proposed Action The RTA and Transport NSW are working to ensure that the NHVR becomes a strong, effective and accountable regulator. In all discussions relating to the National Heavy Vehicle Regutor, NSW representatives have insisted that participation in national reform is contingent on the retention of NSW safety standards. The RTA has begun the process of implementing the national heavy vehicle training and licensing requirements. The new training and licensing system is scheduled to be implemented by 1 January, 2013 in line with the national agreement. The RTA will ensure that interim arrangements are in place in order to ensure that there is no interruption of training service delivery to licensing applicants while the new system is rolled out across NSW. The RTA will forward the STAYSAFE report to the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator Project Office, for consideration in the policy development for the national heavy vehicle regulator. 2 Recommendation 5 In order to ensure the continuing competency of the existing driver skills base, the Committee further recommends that the RTA investigate the feasibility of mandating refresher simulator or other appropriate training for heavy vehicle drivers every three years, as is required in European jurisdictions. Position - Not supported. Proposed Action The RTA will continue to monitor the research into the periodic testing of drivers. However, in order to address the primary causes of heavy vehicle crashes, it will continue to adopt policies and strategies aimed at curbing heavy vehicle driver risk taking, speeding, fatigue, drug use and improper industry practices. Recommendation 6 The Committee recommends that the RTA, prior to completion of its current review of the Safe-T-Cam system, investigate whether the system can be improved to deter the practice of shepherding, where tailgating drivers escape detection. Once such solution would be to identify trucks that travel too closely behind one another and impose automatic fines for this practice. Position - Supported. Proposed Action The RTA will pursue a solution that can be rolled out to all sites that includes a camera system triggered to ensure the registration plate (of both the vehicle and trailer) is within the image taken, ensuring that evidentiary standards are met. Recommendation 7 The Committee considers that dedicated counselling and crisis support services for heavy vehicle drivers should be more widely available and recommends that the RTA conduct discussions with the trucking industry to determine the current provision of such services in NSW. Position - The work of NSW Health as the lead agency is supported. Proposed Action The RTA supports the promotion of the 24hr Drug & Alcohol Helpline through the RTA website. Furthermore, the RTA has supported this initiative by working with Transport NSW to: • Implement a marketing plan for a series of online advertisements on industry websites promoting the Transport Workers Support Line/24 hour Drug and Alcohol Driver Helpline. • Run a print advertisement in the industry publication Truck and Life. • Add a link to the RTA and Transport NSW websites, as well as supplying th is information to be posted on websites in other jurisdictions on the Helpline. 3 Recommendation 8 The Committee also recommends that the RTA assess the provision of counselling services by current providers with a view to supporting the funding of helplines or other means of direct assistance to drivers in crisis. Position - The work of NSW Health as the lead agency is supported. Proposed Action The RTA supports the promotion of the 24hr Drug & Alcohol Helpline through the RTA website. Furthermore, the RTA has supported this initiative by working with Transport NSW to: • Implement a marketing plan for a series of online advertisements on industry websites promoting the Transport Workers Support Line/24 hour Drug and Alcohol Driver Helpline. • Run a print advertisement in the industry publication Truck and Life. • Add a link to the RTA and Transport NSW websites, as well as supplying this information to be posted on websites in other jurisdictions on the Helpline. Recommendation 9 The Committee recommends that the RTA and WorkCover NSW ensure that all strategies employed to educate and inform drivers and all others involved in the supply chain about safety issues and regulatory requirements be conducted after comprehensive consultation and in conjunction with appropriate peak transport industry bodies, as well as consignors and consignees. Position - Supported. Proposed Action The RTA is committed to continuing to consult stakeholders on all relevant strategies through established forms such as the Transport Operators Liaison Group, and the quarterly liaison meetings with NSW Farmers Association and Bus NSW. The RTA will develop a fatigue training package in conjunction with the industry. This will