Heavy vehicle survey to assess safety of national fleet

The National Roadworthiness Baseline Survey aims to inspect and assess the safety condition of heavy vehicles at roadside checkpoints.

Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Darren Chester said the survey would provide a nationally-consistent approach.

“For the first time we’ll have a single approach and set of rules for inspecting and assessing the safety condition of heavy vehicles,” he said.

Mr Chester said the survey would provide a snapshot of the fleet’s conditions and identify factors that increase risk of incidents, and assist in developing a national risk-based inspection approach and identify high-risk components, systems, vehicles or operators.

NHVR chief executive officer Sal Petroccitto said heavy vehicle operators need to advise their drivers and clients to allow appropriate time and have contingencies in place for potential vehicle inspections.

“If a vehicle is selected it will have a comprehensive visual inspection which, depending on the condition of the vehicle, may take on average 30 minutes and in certain case around 45 minutes,” he said.

“Operators must be prepared for a potential delay. We understand the importance of time in the supply chain and with drivers’ cooperation we will ensure minimal disruption occurs.”

Mr Petroccitto said several pilots across the nation were conducted during July to ensure that inspections were completed as quickly as possible.

“We met with 130 inspection staff in 12 workshops across Australia in preparation for the survey. The health check will deliver a clear picture of road worthiness,” he said.

“We’re doing it right, not rushed,” he added.