The NHVR has made a pleat truck operators after it recorded a total of 5835 fatigue related offences nationally last financial year.
The massive offence rate is an increase of almost 16 per cent on the previous financial year when 5039 fatigue offences were recorded across the Regulator’s jurisdictions.
The NHVR’s chief operations officer, Paul Salvati said the data was concerning, especially in light of continued, extensive education around the impact of fatigue on safe driving.
“Our industry is painfully aware of the dangerous impact fatigue has on the ability for people to safely operate heavy vehicles, and yet we are still seeing fatigue related offences on the rise,” Salvati said.
“Fatigue is one of the fatal five and is the primary cause of many major heavy vehicle crashes but there are still a number of drivers who are choosing, or being pressured into, driving while tired,” he said.
“Fatigue impairs alertness, reaction time, judgement and the ability to even control a heavy vehicle safely, and all of this combines to pose an increased risk to the safety of drivers and all road users,” he added.
Salvati said the issue was also reflected in an increase in to fatigue related calls being made to the NHVR ‘s Heavy Vehicle Confidential Reporting Line (HVCRL).
The Regulator said that in FY26, 365 calls were made to the HVCRL on fatigue related issues such as being told to work through breaks, work excessive hours and being forced to work when fatigued, and in FY25, 326 calls were made on the same topic.
Salvati reminded industry of the changes to the Heavy Vehicle National Law August this year which empowered drivers to speak up if they felt unfit to drive.
“The updated HVNL expands existing duties around fitness to drive beyond fatigue to include factors such as physical illness, injuries, stress and mental illness,” Salvati said.
“The new unfit to drive duty gives drivers the authority to stop driving if they are unfit to continue and employers must legally support this, so if you’re an operator or driver who is aware of situations where commercial pressures are being prioritised over fatigue management, we want you to let us know.”
The NHVR said that the HVCRL is a secure, national service for participants in the heavy vehicle industry and supply chain to report safety issues relating to procedures, practices or conditions that could endanger a driver or road user.
Anyone can contact the HVCRL between 7.00am-4:30pm (AEST) Monday to Friday on 1800 931 785.
Salvati said drivers should listen to their bodies and recognise the signs of fatigue early.
“I implore drivers who recognise they are distracted, drowsy or physically or even emotionally unwell not to get behind the wheel, the changes to the HVNL are there to protect you and may save your life and the lives of other road users,” he said.
The NHVR says its website provides guidance on how to comply with work and rest requirements, including counting time, record keeping and training in fatigue risk management.
National Safe Work Month is an annual initiative led by Safe Work Australia to promote health and safety in all workplaces.
