The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) is launching a critical operation on Australia’s longest stretch of road to improve heavy vehicle safety.
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Operation Compass is running from Port Augusta in South Australia to the Western Australia border.
NHVR director Paul Simionato says this new launch will help reduce road trauma on the Eyre Highway, as the busy freight route has seen far too many fatal crashes over the years.
“From January to March this year, we’ve sadly seen 11 lives lost in crashes involving a heavy vehicle across South Australia and Western Australia,” he says.
“The Eyre Highway in particular has been the scene of some tragic crashes in the past few years, with a fatal incident between a truck and a car occurring only last month.
“Through Operation Compass, we’re aiming to identify unsafe practices and ensure heavy vehicle drivers and operators are held accountable in their role of keeping our roads safe.”
Over the past four year, the NHVR has conducted numerous patrols and local operations along the Eyre Highway, to increase compliance and the safety of road users.
Throughout Operation Compass, the NHVR Safety and Compliance Officers (SCOs) will work closely with Main Roads WA to address driver fatigue and mechanical non-compliance, two of the most critical risk factors in the heavy vehicle industry.
Simionato says the SCOs will be working along the Eyre Highway from Port Augusta to Ceduna, and on to Border Village.
“Officers will conduct inspections to ensure compliance with vehicle standards, check that drivers are managing their fatigue by reviewing work diaries, and take an appropriate compliance action on these key risks to improve long-term safety outcomes on our roads,” he says.
“By launching Operation Compass, we’re sending a clear message that safety has no borders, and every heavy vehicle driver and operator has a responsibility to ensure their movements are safe and efficient.
“The NHVR is determined to prevent any avoidable tragedy from ever occurring on our roads.”
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