Latest NHVR regulatory advice explores fatigue risks and controls
When a driver feels sleepy, tired or exhausted, these are all symptoms of fatigue. So too are restlessness, inability to maintain a steady speed, and sore or tired eyes. Fatigue can occur even on a short trip and can severely impair judgement when driving, causing lapses in concentration that could prove fatal.
Consequently, the NHVR is maintaining its focus on growing industry awareness of fatigue risks, providing expert advice, and publishing a range of information resources to support industry to better manage driver fatigue.
In the latest of these information resources, the NHVR has published regulatory advice on Fitness to drive: Fatigue. This provides guidance to parties in the Chain of Responsibility on managing fatigue in the heavy vehicle transport industry – outlining their obligations under the Heavy Vehicle National Law and advocating a holistic approach to fatigue management.
This regulatory advice takes a look at the hazards and risks associated with fatigue, emphasises the importance of considering external factors that may influence the driver’s fatigue risk– not just those related to compliance with regulated work and rest hours – and proposes a range of control measures to ensure the safety of heavy vehicle drivers and other road users.
This is the first in a series of three pieces of ‘Fitness to Drive’ guidance that will be delivered through the NHVR’s Regulatory Advice Program.
Read more NHVR regulatory advice here.
(Information supplied by NHVR – ON the Road Issue 146)
