Two incredible fines totalling over $20,000 together were recently issued to a driver who failed to abide by the HVNL’s fatigue laws.
 |
|
A driver was recently fined after having his work diary inspected by NHVR officers in Marulan.
|
A truck driver who only rested for a total of 1.5 hours in a 19.5 hour driving stint has been hit with two critical risk breaches by the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR).
The driver’s case was heard at Goulburn Local Court on May 5 with the court finding the driver guilty of both charges and fining the driver $10,000 for each charge and another $102 filing fee for each charge for a total cost of $20,204.
The offence occurred in January of this year, when an inspection was carried out at an NHVR Heavy Vehicle Safety Station at Marulan by Safety and Compliance Officers who identified the breaches after checking the driver’s National Driver Work Diary.
The driver’s longest rest break during the 24-hour period was only one hour and 30 minutes. Under the law, solo drivers can work a maximum of 12 hours within a 24-hour period, with seven continuous hours of stationary rest time.
NHVR Director Prosecutions Belinda Hughes says it was alarming to see such long hours worked.
RELATED ARTICLE: ATA pushes back at FWC regulation proposal
“Fatigue is an issue we are seeing having a big impact on drivers, resulting in serious injuries or death. Take your rest breaks – it’s just not worth the risk,” Hughes says.
“The magistrate noted the seriousness of this offence, acknowledging the risk that working these types of hours poses to the person and public safety.”
In addition to the general duty to not drive a fatigue-regulated heavy vehicle on a road while fatigued, drivers must comply with work and rest limits.
NHVR Director Operations Central Region Brett Patterson says standard hours apply to all drivers who do not operate under fatigue management accreditation.
“Operators who enrol in the National Heavy Vehicle Accreditation Scheme have a greater say in when drivers can work and rest, as long as the risks of driver fatigue are properly managed,” Patterson says.
The NHVR has a variety of tools and guides on our website to assist operators and drivers in understanding their obligations under the HVNL and to operate safely.
For more information about standard hours, break requirements or fatigue management, visit:
Subscribe to our newsletter
Sign up to receive the Owner Driver e-newsletter, digital magazine and other offers we choose to share with you straight to your inbox
You can also follow our updates by liking us on Facebook.
Trucks For Hire | Forklifts For Hire | Cranes For Hire | Generators For Hire | Transportable Buildings For Hire