A waste disposal company has called for the NSW government to issue businesses with special licences to use heavy trucks on the road, which can be revoked if any safety issues are found.
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J.J. Richards & Sons corporate systems national manager Haydee Forster made the comments as part of a submission into the Parliament’s Heavy Vehicle Safety and Use of Technology inquiry.
She said some companies allowed their trucks to fall into poor condition because of budget restraints, maintenance that is not checked properly and a general lack of commitment and understanding of the trucks.
“We believe that to combat this decline requires the maintenance of a compliance and enforcement framework at a government level,” she said.
“A compliance strategy could include the requirement for all companies to hold a ‘license’ to own and operate heavy vehicles – a licence that requires them to demonstrate that they are adequately educated and understand their obligations and that if they do not comply, that the licence can be revoked.”
The NSW Road Safety Committee, chaired by Albury MP Greg Aplin, is looking into how technology could improve truck safety and reduce the road toll.
J.J. Richards & Sons, which has an office on the Border, also used its submission to list its safety initiatives, such as limiting trucks to a maximum speed of 90km/h.
The company was also investigating the use of “seeing machines” for long distance trips, which monitor the truck driver at all times with a camera on the face – as used by fellow Wodonga-based truck business Ron Finemore Transport.
“We believe they will make a significant contribution towards reduction of fatigue/distraction events,” Ms Forster said.
“J.J. Richards is committed to maintaining the high standard of our fleet and continually investigating new opportunities, which could further improve health and safety within the heavy vehicle transport industry.”
Submissions into the inquiry close on February 25.