An integrated approach to the regulation of heavy vehicle driver fatigue An integrated approach to the regulation of heavy vehicle driver fatigue

Prescriptive regulation of hours of service is the norm for control of fatigue in drivers of heavy vehicles in most developed countries. Since the initiation of prescriptive regulation, and particularly in recent years, understanding of the nature and causes of fatigue has grown. Little of this increased understanding has yet been embodied in regulatory approaches to the management of heavy vehicle driver fatigue. The current regulatory situation in Australia is one of prescriptive regulation under road transport legislation in the ‘populous’ jurisdictions and Codes of Practice under occupational health and safety legislation in the ‘remote’ jurisdictions. It is expected that the review will result in a recommendation of an integrated approach to the management of heavy vehicle driver fatigue. It is intended that this approach will be able to be applied consistently in all jurisdictions. The elements of this approach are: • legislation setting out responsibilities of all parties in the road transport chain of responsibility • flexible hours of service, based on sleep requirements, which may be included in legislation or guidance material • a fatigue code of practice, which may be given status under road transport legislation and/or OH&S legislation • other initiatives, including industry training, public education, infrastructure measures, industry codes and education of consignors and others in the transport chain. The purpose of this paper is to explain the industry and regulatory environment in Australia, to discuss the process to be followed in the fatigue review and to set out the expected outcomes. Contact author Barry Moore Director – Strategy National Road Transport Commission, Australia www.nrtc.gov.au PO Box 13105, Law Courts, Melbourne 8010, Email: [email protected]