The Australian Government has made changes to the national road vehicle standards to facilitate the supply of safer trucks in Australia, to help reduce road trauma while bolstering freight productivity.
The changes are estimated to provide a net benefit of more than $500 million to the Australian economy.
The Safer Freight Vehicles package includes an increase to the overall width limit from 2.50 to 2.55 metres for new trucks that are fitted with a number of safety features.
These safety features include devices to reduce blind spots, electronic stability control, advanced emergency braking, a lane departure warning system, better reflective markings, and side guards to stop pedestrians and cyclists from being caught up under the trucks’ rear wheels.
Trucks fitted with these safety features will save lives and prevent serious injuries to vehicle occupants, cyclists and pedestrians, says federal infrastructure and transport assistant minister Carol Brown.
Allowing wider trucks will also reduce the number of road freight trips businesses need to take, saving them money and lowering their environmental impact, she explains.
Additionally, various safety devices and sensors can be fitted to trucks without counting towards the width and length measurements.
This includes front and kerb view mirrors to better see around the front-left corner of the vehicle, external parts of camera monitor systems for improved indirect vision, blind spot sensors, and cross-view mirrors to see in front of bonneted vehicles.
The overall width limit for buses and trailers won’t change, however they will also benefit from more safety devices being excluded from width and length measurements.
While this change will allow manufactures to design and supply these safer trucks in Australia, operators should continue to engage with their registration authority to determine whether road access permits are required.
Changes under the Safer Freight Vehicles package start to take effect from October 1, 2023.
“This Safer Freight Vehicles package responds to direct calls from industry to increase the width limit of trucks and follows extensive public consultation and feedback,” says Brown, adding the changes will be a game changer for industry, businesses and other road users.
“Our truckies play a vital role in the Australian economy and our day-to-day lives, ensuring we can access the food, medicines and other goods we need.”
Meanwhile, the Electric Vehicle Council sees sense in the changes but would welcome more.
