The truck driver fatigue laws should be fixed to deliver simpler work diaries, sensible enforcement, fairer penalties and greater safety for smaller trucks, the ATA submission to the National Transport Commission’s October 2023 consultation regulation impact statement on reforms to the Heavy Vehicle National Law says.

In addition to fatigue management, the NTC consultation statement looks at potential changes to the maximum mass, length and height of trucks.

The ATA submission supports–

• an increase in the maximum weight of trucks, which should be in addition to the planned mass increases for trucks that meet the Euro VI emission standard.
• an increase in the maximum length of trucks from 19 metres to 20 metres, with the aim of improving driver comfort by allowing sleeper cabs to be larger. The length of 26 metre B-doubles should be extended to 27 metres
• an increase in the general access height limit from 4.3 to 4.6 metres with safety measures to prevent rollovers.