The newly formed Livestock, Bulk and Rural Carriers Association (LBRCA) has welcomed the NSW Government’s 2031 Road Safety Action Plan.
The Livestock, Bulk and Rural Carriers Association (LBRCA) has welcomed the latest plan to improve road safety, calling for its implementation to deliver practical improvements to regional road infrastructure, heavy vehicle driver training and road safety education.
Association, which claims to be the peak body for regional carriers. says the new NSW plan demonstrated a commitment to to improve heavy vehicle driver licencing through experience-based pathways, to invest in regional road safety infrastructure, and to develop a heavy vehicle safety data program to inform road safety initiatives and network access decisions.
The president of the new LBRCA, Wade Lewis said the Plan’s commitments were positive steps .
“We have been strong advocates in the industry to reform pathways for heavy vehicle drivers. Just a few weeks ago, we met with the NSW Skills Minister on our cadetship proposal, and we welcome the government’s commitment to progressing reform work,” Lewis said.
“The capture of heavy vehicle data is important to inform policy decisions, but it cannot just be about enforcement, and must distinguish heavy vehicle involvement from causation. We look forward to seeing more details on the measure,” he said.
The Association says it has also identified two initiatives that could deliver immediate benefits for heavy vehicle safety.
LBRCA said that first it is seeking information on the proposed early notification system for camera-detected offences and if it will extend to heavy vehicles and to allow transport operators to receive timely notifications.
“Early notification gives transport businesses an opportunity to identify potential safety issues, engage with drivers and take corrective action before unsafe behaviours are repeated,” Lewis added.
“Operators should not be left waiting weeks to learn about an incident involving one of their vehicles,” he said.
The Association also said that secondly is calling for the renewed NSW Road Safety Education Program to specifically address how motorists interact safely with heavy vehicles.
“Every road user needs to understand that trucks have larger blind spots, longer stopping distances and different turning requirements,” Lewis said.
“Teaching young drivers how to safely overtake, follow and share the road with heavy vehicles is a practical measure that could prevent serious crashes, particularly on regional roads.”
LBRCA said the commitments to improve fatigue awareness and journey planning, needed to see additional heavy vehicle rest facilities and improved amenities.
“You cannot expect a driver to manage fatigue effectively if there is nowhere safe or suitable to stop,” said Lewis.
“Education and technology have an important role, but they cannot substitute for adequate rest areas and fit-for-purpose road infrastructure,” he added.
Lewis said LBRCA supported the government’s commitment to reducing road trauma but stressed that safer roads required investment in infrastructure as well as improved driver behaviour.
“Rural carriers travel some of the most challenging roads in NSW every day, and they understand the consequences of poor road conditions, inadequate rest facilities and unsafe interactions between light and heavy vehicles.
“If we are serious about reducing road trauma, we need to address the conditions drivers face on the road, not simply increase the obligations placed upon them,” he said.
LBRCA said it is seeking to work directly with Transport for NSW on implementation of the Plan, including identifying priority regional freight corridors, progressing competency-based licensing reform and ensuring the heavy vehicle industry has a voice in road safety initiatives.
“Rural carriers want to be part of the solution, we will continue to monitor implementation and working with the NSW Government to turn the commitments in this Plan into meaningful safety improvements,” Lewis said.