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In line with broad recommendations to improve safety in the heavy vehicle sector, there have been persistent investigations into ways to build new trucks that offer the latest safety features more affordable. The reforms are among those recommended by the federal government for road safety assessment, with many of the key safety issues in the sector highlighted in the recent Australian Media Campaign (ACM). During the same week that ACM was held in early March, the federal government finally moved on to two key mandates for heavy vehicle safety: Advanced Emergency Braking (AEB) and Electronic Stability Control (ESC). Once completed, implementation in Australia will take place 10 years after the same rules were introduced in Europe. The new technology can be converted to many old trucks, but only at a significant cost. As a result, the Joint Special Committee on Road Safety wants the federal government to work with state and territory governments to “explore options to encourage the purchase of new, safer heavy vehicles and increase their accessibility.” More than 70,000 trucks on Australian roads are between the ages of 15 and 22, according to the Heavy Vehicles Association. The purchase price is a major barrier to fleet turnover, as the base new heavy truck, equipped with the latest safety equipment, can cost more than $ 130,000. Committee chairman and former federal transport minister Darren Chester acknowledged that owners of many old trucks drive economically or seasonally, but agreed that they still pose a greater risk of crashing or overturning than more modern cars. The committee also found that there was not enough good data, as was common in all road transport sectors, to help decide on ways to deal with accidents with heavy vehicles. As a result, the committee wants to develop better mechanisms to identify the driver responsible for heavy vehicle accidents, as well as to compare relevant details such as the type and age of the vehicle. Combining data in a standardized way is a big problem in states and territories that cannot yet agree on how to collect data on serious damage. ACM Blake’s Legacy, which honored four-year-old Canberra boy Blake Corney, instantly killed when his family rapid compliance with the last two safety requirements. AEB systems detect possible frontal collisions, warn the driver and, if the driver does not respond, automatically apply the brakes. ESC systems detect the risk of overturning and automatically slow down the vehicle in response. From 1 November next year, both will be fitted as standard under Australian design rules 35/07 and 97/00 on all new heavy duty vehicles. For existing new models, the mandate extends to 2025. Heavy Vehicle Association CEO Todd Hacking hailed the federal move, but urged heavy vehicle buyers not to wait for the mandate to take effect. “I urge anyone thinking of buying a new truck or trailer to make the safety of all road users a priority; do not compromise if you are given the opportunity to add the latest safety technology to your vehicles,” he said. BLACK’S LEGACY:
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In line with broad recommendations to improve safety in the heavy vehicle sector, there have been persistent investigations into ways to build new trucks that offer the latest safety features more affordable.
Once completed, implementation in Australia will take place 10 years after the same rules were introduced in Europe. The new technology can be converted to many old trucks, but only at a significant cost.
As a result, the Joint Special Committee on Road Safety wants the federal government to work with state and territory governments to “explore options to encourage the purchase of new, safer heavy vehicles and increase their accessibility.”
More than 70,000 trucks on Australian roads are between the ages of 15 and 22, according to the Heavy Vehicles Association.
The purchase price is a major barrier to fleet turnover, as the base new heavy truck, equipped with the latest safety equipment, can cost more than $ 130,000.
Committee chairman and former federal transport minister Darren Chester acknowledged that owners of many old trucks drive economically or seasonally, but agreed that they still pose a greater risk of crashing or overturning than more modern cars.
Last month, the federal government finally moved to fulfill key mandates for the safety of heavy vehicles, but Australia lags behind Europe by at least 8 years. Image: included
The committee also found that there was not enough good data, as was common in all road transport sectors, to help decide on ways to deal with accidents with heavy vehicles.
As a result, the committee wants to develop better mechanisms to identify the driver responsible for heavy vehicle accidents, as well as to compare relevant details such as the type and age of the vehicle. Combining data in a standardized way is a big problem in states and territories that cannot yet agree on how to collect data on serious injuries.
ACM Blake’s Legacy Company, which honored four-year-old Canberra boy Blake Corney died instantly when his family’s 2018 SUV was reversing a dump truck when he stopped at a traffic light on the Manara Highway, calling for large-scale reforms to heavy vehicles, including swift fulfillment of the last two safety mandates.
AEB systems detect possible frontal collisions, warn the driver and, if the driver does not respond, automatically apply the brakes.
ESC systems detect the risk of overturning and automatically slow down the vehicle in response.
From 1 November next year, both will be fitted as standard under Australian design rules 35/07 and 97/00 on all new heavy duty vehicles. For existing new models, the mandate extends to 2025.
Heavy Vehicle Association CEO Todd Hacking hailed the federal move, but urged heavy vehicle buyers not to wait for the mandate to take effect.
“I urge anyone thinking of buying a new truck or trailer to make the safety of all road users a priority; do not compromise if you are given the opportunity to add the latest safety technology to your vehicles,” he said.
