DRIVE Spring 2020 Edition

SPRING 2020

INSIDE: DRIVE Spotlight General News Auto News Heavy Vehicle & Agriculture Industry Bus Industry Upcoming Events In the Media

DRIVE SPOTLIGHT

Meet Tara McCarthy, Deputy Secretary for Safety, Environment and Regulation

OUR PURPOSE Our primary role with the bus, heavy vehicle and auto industries is to consult, provide leadership, education and guidance to accredited operators and service providers.

This includes: • Providing information, education and advice on safety issues and identify solutions to reduce risks and hazards • Responding to customer enquiries or issues

• Presenting at industry engagement sessions, forums and conferences • Consulting with industry bodies, state and federal agencies

GENERAL NEWS Digital Photo Card Building on the success of the Digital Driver Licence, an electronic version of the NSW Photo Card is expected to be trialled this year.

The Digital Photo Card will provide a convenient, digital option for existing NSW Photo Card holders to prove their age, identity and address at places where the plastic photo card is accepted.

GENERAL NEWS Safety Labels for Alternative Vehicles Since 1 July 2020, all electric, hybrid and hydrogen light vehicles are legally required to have a safety label fixed to the front and rear number plates, regardless of when they were manufactured or modified.

The labels will help emergency services quickly identify vehicles with an electric or hydrogen component if there is a crash, so specific procedures can be followed to make the incident safer.

Labels have been sent to existing registered operators of all electric, hybrid and

hydrogen vehicles. Labels will be sent to registered operators of new vehicles when they are registered.

Be sure to affix the labels correctly and clearly display them at all times. Penalties, including a defect notice and/or fine, may apply from 1 January 2021. Visit the Transport for NSW website for more about safety labels.

Digital Documentation Carrying documentation for the Intelligent Access Program just got a little easier.

The heavy vehicle industry has welcomed the news that all vehicles operating under the Intelligent Access Program will now have the choice of carrying a Certificate of Enrolment (CoE) electronically or physically in the vehicle. As long as the CoE is carried at all times and is able to be presented roadside upon request, drivers will have the opportunity to present the CoE electronically.

Save Time – Online Fitness to Drive Medical Assessments If you’re an older driver, have a medical condition or hold a commercial vehicle licence, you may be asked to submit regular Fitness to Drive medical assessments.

We have improved this process so that participating GPs, specialists, therapists and optometrists can now submit NSW Fitness to Drive assessment forms for their patients online.

Your doctor will get an instant response confirming your assessment has been received and a copy of the completed form will be stored for future reference.

So if you receive a request for a medical review in the mail, take the letter to your doctor and ask them to submit the assessment online for you.

For more information visit the Transport Fitness to Drive page.

AUTO NEWS

Automotive Industry Drives Standards Review The restoration and preservation of historic vehicles is a passion shared by many and appreciated by onlookers all over the globe.

In NSW, historic vehicles over 30 years old can be conditionally registered through our Historic Vehicle Scheme. The scheme enables eligible historic vehicles to use public roads for a set number of days per year, allowing them to be driven and displayed at events.

Authorised Inspection Scheme (AIS) Standards Authorised Inspection Scheme (AIS) standards set the minimum requirements a vehicle must meet to be deemed suitable for registration in NSW. As time goes on, automobiles are evolving and varying at an incredible pace. To keep up and maintain safety on our roads for everyone, the automotive industry requested a full review of the current AIS standards which were last updated in 2008.

To simplify the process of restoring and assessing an eligible vehicle, Transport for NSW has created a clear list of accepted period options, accessories and safety items. This will help recognised historic vehicle clubs to assess vehicles for the Historic Vehicle Scheme much more efficiently.

If you’d like to know more about historic vehicle restoration, reach out to your local club.

This important review will: • Ensure AIS standards are current and fit for purpose therefore improving road safety • Ensure a high quality of services provided to customers • Deliver revised standards through a dedicated training program, customer communications and other industry engagement We are proud to be working with industry to bring safety to the forefront of automotive evolution.

Stay tuned for the outcome of the review in upcoming editions of Drive.

HEAVY VEHICLE AND AGRICULTURE INDUSTRY NEWS Bringing Brake Defects to a Halt Brake defects are a really common, preventable issue that contribute heavily to road crashes. Data analysis has allowed us to identify this area for improvement and better support heavy vehicle companies.

A new education series has been developed to support industry with preventing brake defects and improving safety. The sessions, which discuss regular brake maintenance and the use of brake roller equipment in-house or with external repairers, have begun being rolled out to the top 50 companies presenting brake defects with great success.

If you would like to find out more or organise a session for your own company, please contact us.

Beefing Up Safety at NSW Feedlots We engaged with the agriculture industry in response to reports of unsafe practices occurring at particular feedlots. Specific concerns were around heavy vehicles leaving feedlots and suspected of being overweight and not using the weighbridges to ensure they were travelling legally and safely.

We identified all feedlots across NSW and sent a letter reminding feedlot operators of their role and responsibilities in and around feedlots, with a particular emphasis on rules around compliance and safety practices.

Feedlot operators and drivers welcomed the reminder by Transport for NSW and have taken steps to improve safety procedures at feedlots.

BUS INDUSTRY NEWS

Bus Industry Statistics and Trends We publish regular reports summarising key statistics and trends on NSW buses and compliance programs to inform the bus industry, decision makers and the community. The latest figures from the Bus Industry Quarterly Dashboard Report for Quarter 2, 2020 is now available.

The reports provide information on industry status, Independent Audit results, Annual Self-Assessment Report results, heavy vehicle compliance and bus incident statistics.

Top 3 Mechanical Issues

150 Engine oil leaks

All Defects

61

34

30.6%

15.5%

Brake imbalance on axle 2

Transmission leak

Ancillary equipment

Brake related

Physical assaults on drivers remain a key issue with reports of assault and offensive behaviour.

Transport for NSW works closely with NSW Police to encourage the reporting of incidents, and work towards reducing crime and anti-social behaviour.

Due to COVID-19 all independent audits with a due date from 25 March 2020 to 29 September 2020 have been provided an extension of six months, which resulted in a small number of IA reports being submitted for the Q2 2020 period. In Q2 2020 five independent audits were completed with nil deficiencies detected.

Buses in the Snow: Ploughing Home Our Safety Message Every year the snow beckons many of us to indulge in a winter wonderland. Buses help many people move between ski fields, accommodation and local attractions making for a relaxed getaway.

Transport for NSW

Driving in the Snow for Public Passenger Vehicles* between 1 June and 11 October

Behind the scenes however, there are strict requirements for bus drivers to ensure they’re able to get you from skiing the slopes to rugged up by the fire safely.

Our new flyer being distributed by Marulan Safety Inspection Station helps remind drivers and operators of their training obligations.

We also work closely with the NSW Police and recently developed a checklist to help officers ensure snow driver training requirements for public passenger buses have been met.

So next time you visit the snow, you can rest assured that we’re working to get you there safely. *Public Passenger Vehicles are defined as having 13 seats or MORE, including the driver

Fact Sheet Fact sheet Runaway bus procedures

June 2020

Bus Incident Management Database Introduction procedures June 2020

A runaway bus, whether in the bus depot or on a public road, has the potential to cause serious or fatal injury and significant damage to property and assets.

There are engineering systems in place, which There have been incidents involving runaway are designed to prevent incidents of runaway buses where bus drivers have incorrectly relied buses. theTransport front doorfor brake interlock system to act and incidents Bus operators are required to on notify NSW of relevant accidents as a a busClause parking88brake secure theTransport bus.

These are, however, not substitutes for driver condition of their accreditation,asunder of thetoPassenger (General) vigilance in ensuring that the park brake is Regulation 2017.

This fact sheet outlines the correct process for always applied before leaving the driver’s seat. securing buses and should be distributed by bus all drivers to reduce or eliminate the There have been a number ofoperators ongoing to issues Instructions possibility with the reporting of incidents, including:of incidents occurring. c) is in the reasonable opinion of theleaving the driver’s seat, you must apply Before • not reporting the incidentNotices within the operator of the service, otherwise likely to and check that it is correctly the park brake required timeframe of three days (72 arouse serious engaged.

Bus drivers are responsible for their own public safety concern. hours) and the safety of passengers, other motorists Where a bus is fitted with an external door close • not providing accurate information about and members of the public. control, you must use this to close the bus.

Instructions the incident Correctly securing the bus before exiting is part mustaccurate not close the bus doors by reaching To ensure Transport for NSW You capture • not updating the database of as thisinformation responsibility. keys,that handles, incident information, it is important the switches, levers or other controls on the incident becomes available fromreflect outside the bus through the driver’s side The driver must secure details the bussubmitted by placingbythe the operator a true window. vehicle’s transmission indescription neutral, apply theincident. park of the Notices brake prior to shutting down the engine and Under no circumstances should you access If additional or information are obtained before leaving the driver’s seat. Busfacts drivers any of the bus controls via the driver’s window.

Bus operators have a legal obligation tounder reportany circumstances: at a later stage regarding an existing incident, should not incidents to both Transport for NSW and the bus operators are required to It update the is a requirement of the bus operator (i) (OTSI). leave the seat ofincident the buse.g. without Office of Transport Investigations if an injury subsequently accreditation and audit program to ensure that a correctly engaging the busaparking becomes fatality. double-sided safety sticker carrying the following Operators may also be required to provide brake message is affixed in a visible position on the reports to the Police Assistance Line (PAL) Operators must ensure that accurate lower halfinof the driver’s side window on all (ii) access the bus control and/or SafeWork NSW. information is reported. This will assist mechanism(s) through the safety and security buses. improving for operators, Clause 88 of the Passenger Transport driver’s window. drivers, passengers and the general public.

(General) Regulation 2017 states: Note: Please refer to the ‘Bus Driver’s Pocket Guide’ An operator of a bus service who becomes and the ‘Bus Operator’s not acceptable to rely upon an open front, Procedure Guide’ for aware that a bus being used Ittoisprovide the on managing a serious accident or and/ororrear door information (therefore utilising a service has been involved in centre an accident incident. brakeofinterlock system) or the bus stop incident must notify Transportdoor for NSW the brake to secure accident or incident, in accordance with this the bus. clause, if the accident or incident:

Introduction

a) resulted in a person being injured Transport forits NSW T 02 8202 2702 b) prevented the bus from continuing 18 Lee Street, Chippendale NSW 2008 journey

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Transport for NSW T 02 8202 2702

18 Lee Street, Chippendale NSW 2008

New Bus Fact Sheets To simplify how we share bus industry responsibilities and compliance requirements, we have worked with industry representatives to develop new, easy to follow fact sheets which can be accessed on our website.

Check out the new fact sheets here.

Our goal as a regulator is to work with you to significantly reduce risks on NSW roads by enabling safer drivers, vehicles and operators. If you have a suggestion about how we can better reach that goal, or if you want to know more about improving safety within your business, please email us or call 0467 815 745.

UPCOMING EVENTS October

November

1 October — RFIC (Road Freight Industry Council) Meeting

5 November — Auto Industry Working Group

13 October — CICA (Crane Industry Council Australia) Meeting 14 October — RoadFreight NSW Meeting 30 October — NSW Farmers Meeting

5 November — NatRoad Meeting 11 November — Historic and Classic Cars Industry Working Group 26 November — Bus Industry Working Group

IN THE MEDIA Buyer Beware: Pink Slip Fraud The NSW Government is cracking down on dodgy pink slips. People are advertising “no see” pink slips on social media platforms such as Facebook, charging large fees for this service. These pink slips are not only illegal but dangerous since the car’s defects are not inspected or repaired and can result in serious injury to the driver and other motorists.

The overall costs of not having a valid pink slip are also high. Without an authentic pink slip, the vehicle is not eligible for registration and therefore can’t be insured. This can be very costly if the vehicle is involved in a crash. In addition, the driver can be fined for driving an unregistered, uninsured and defective vehicle.

Motorists are encouraged to have their vehicle examined at an authorised inspection station or by a mobile pink slip provider.

An Expensive Lesson

Putting Safety in Truckies’ Hands

A Queensland freight company has been taught an expensive lesson about speed compliance.

The company was fined $10,000 after being found guilty of having a speed limiter set at 125.5km/h – more than 25 per cent above the allowed threshold.

Efforts by Transport for NSW to more closely collaborate with the heavy vehicle industry is reaping significant safety results.

The truck was directed to stop at the Jones Island Heavy Vehicle Checking Station while travelling north on 19 February this year. Tests carried out on the speed limiter found it was set to 125.5km/h which is deemed to be an unsafe speed for heavy vehicles.

This is a powerful reminder for freight companies to ensure speed limiters are set so that trucks do not travel above 100km/h. It’s important to know the rules to ensure everyone’s safety. Moving goods around the country is important for the economy but safety shouldn’t be compromised.

Transport for NSW has been initiating informal roadside discussions with drivers and operators about key areas of concern including registration, work diaries, load restraint, vehicle maintenance issues, and carrying and producing permits.

Transport for NSW also holds engagement days regularly at heavy vehicle safety stations across the state to inform and educate the freight sector about their safety obligations.

The engagement and education is helping to reduce fatalities from heavy vehicle crashes which are down from 232 to 203 between January and September 2019 compared with 2018.

© 2020 • Transport for NSW • Insights & Engagement • 110 George St, Parramatta • IndustryEngagement@rms.nsw.gov.au