Issuu

SPRING 2021

INSIDE: DRIVE Spotlight Motorcycle Awareness Month Bus Industry News COVID-19 Updates Heavy Vehicle News Auto News

Image copyright Simon Freeman 2019

DRIVE SPOTLIGHT

HVCBA body camera pilot program, see page 6 for more details.

Don’t miss out, sign-up now for DRIVE

Sign-up for the Towards Zero newsletter

Have a story to tell? Get in touch.

Stay informed about road safety and regulation updates for heavy vehicle, bus and auto industries.

Stay up-to-date with the latest initiatives from the Centre for Road Safety.

We encourage industry stakeholders to submit story ideas for inclusion in DRIVE Contact us for details.

GENERAL NEWS

Motorcycle Awareness Month This October, Transport for NSW celebrated Motorcycle Awareness Month. We supported Motorcycle Council of NSW on their initiatives to promote road safety to motorcycle riders and drivers across the state.

As a driver, there are some ways you can help motorcyclists ride to live.

Everyone who uses NSW roads is responsible for the safety of motorcycle riders.

• Give motorcycles ample space on the road to ensure they can avoid obstacles that are not significant to a larger vehicle.

Motorcyclists are often harder to spot on the road because they are smaller than other vehicles and can blend easily into the background. For this reason motorists should always check twice for riders. For heavy vehicle drivers, motorcyclists can be even harder to see because heavy vehicles have larger blind spots than the average car.

• Check your mirrors and blind spots before pulling out from the kerb, changing lanes or turning.

• Remember to scan the road and watch for motorcycles, particularly at intersections. Transport for NSW has a number of resources to improve motorcycle safety. Please visit the Ride to Live, MotoCAP, and CRASH websites. Road safety is a shared responsibility, whether you are a rider, driver or pedestrian. Together we can work on reducing our road toll to zero.

Transport for NSW’s award winning program: Road Safety In Your Workplace Transport for NSW’s Road Safety in Your Workplace program won the most prestigious road safety award in Australasia – the 3M-Australasian College of Road Safety Diamond Road Safety Award. The program is one of only a few worldwide (the first of its kind in Australasia) and was recognised for its innovative and evidence-based digital solutions to reduce the number of crashes, injuries and fatalities experienced by workers when driving or riding on NSW roads. As October is National Safe Work Month, receiving this award was perfect timing to continue the conversation about being safe at work – especially in your vehicle.

The Road Safety and Your Work: A Guide for Employers is a comprehensive resource to assist employers with establishing road safety practices, developing a road safety policy and engaging staff in safe driving and riding behaviours. It includes factsheets and a toolbox to support engagement at a local level to promote the importance of road safety in the workplace. Start the conversation today and email us for more information on this award-winning program. Drive Safe. Work Safe.

BUS INDUSTRY NEWS

NSW Bus Industry Compliance Snapshot Transport for NSW regulates bus operators and drivers under the Passenger Transport Act 2014 and associated regulations. We also regulate buses and coaches as heavy vehicles under the Road Transport legislation. Our vision for the bus sector is to work with the bus industry, co-regulators and other agencies to improve bus safety in NSW. Our purpose is to work together to protect everyone on our roads. Everything we do aims to reduce deaths and serious injuries. Our safety commitment means a safer NSW – for every individual and the community. As a regulator, our role is to promote and ensure safe and efficient journeys through safer drivers, safer vehicles, and safer operators. To realise our vision and purpose we publish regular reports summarising key statistics and trends on NSW buses and compliance programs. These reports help inform the bus industry, decision makers and the community on areas where safety can be improved. For more information visit our webpage to view the latest Bus Industry Dashboard report.

COVID-19 NEWS Classic and historic vehicle registration renewals during COVID-19 While the stay-at-home public health orders were in place, Service NSW was open for essential services only. Transport for NSW in collaboration with Service NSW implemented a number of temporary measures to assist customers during this time. As historic and classic vehicles were not considered essential, Transport for NSW made temporary changes to assist car owners in renewing their registration. If a classic or historic vehicle was the customer’s primary mode of transport and the only car they owned, they were allowed to attend a Service NSW Centre to renew their registration. Customers with classic vehicle registrations due between 28 June and 31 October 2021 could get a Safety Check (pink slip) rather than the usual Unregistered Vehicle Inspection Report (blue slip) to help them during lockdown. These pink slips will be valid for 6 months. With the easing of restrictions, customers are now able to renew registration at Service NSW or by post. For further information please visit our website. For queries and comments please email us.

Finding solutions to driver testing during lockdown In-line with the public health orders during the most recent COVID-19 outbreak, Service NSW was open for essential services only. This meant that all driver tests were suspended until the public health orders changed. Transport for NSW worked closely with Service NSW to ensure customers had options if they needed to complete a driver test. Here are some ways we supported customers during this time: • If their licence was due to expire, learner drivers and riders could apply to have their licence extended by up to six months • Eligible drivers could apply for a deferral of their fitness to drive tests • Fees were waived for eligible customers with expiring hazard perception tests or driver knowledge tests If you need to complete a driver test, please contact Service NSW on 13 77 88 to find out how we can support you.

HEAVY VEHICLE NEWS

HVCBA Body Camera Pilot In 2020 Transport for NSW engaged an independent consultancy firm to complete a review on the separation of training and assessment of heavy vehicle drivers. One of the initial recommendations was to investigate the ways technology is used in the training and assessment process. As a result of this review Transport for NSW launched a pilot program in June 2021 that uses body cameras to film heavy vehicle licence applicants during training and assessment. The program was developed to improve the transparency and evidence base for heavy vehicle assessments. Eighteen assessors from nine accredited Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) participated in the trial from 14 June to 10 September.

Axon Body Worn 3 Cameras were used during the trial to film the applicants’ training and assessment activities, both on road and outside the vehicle. In addition to filming the training and assessment using improved camera technology, Axon Cameras also use a cloud-based system to transmit and store video files for review by RTOs and Transport for NSW. The pilot program commenced with pre-trial training conducted for Assessors and RTOs on the operation of cameras and uploading video files. Transport for NSW also supported the trial by developing a policy and procedure for use. After overcoming some initial challenges, trial participants noted that the technology and method of uploading video files provided efficiencies and additional assurance to the training and assessment process. An evaluation of the trial was completed in October 2021.

STAY CONNECTED Connect with us on social media to keep up-to-date on announcements, safety initiatives, community projects and news that impacts your industry.

Do not overtake turning vehicle signs to align with national standard Transport for NSW has made changes to the legal size allowed for ‘Do not overtake turning vehicle’ signs. Some operators have expressed confusion about NSW requiring a larger ‘Do not overtake turning vehicle’ sign than the national standard. The two size requirements also made compliance difficult for interstate operators. After consulting with industry partners, the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) and assessing safety considerations, Transport for NSW has taken steps to align the NSW road rule with national regulations set out by the NHVR. We have amended NSW Road Rule 316-1 to also allow the national standard size for the ‘Do not overtake turning vehicle’ sign. This road rule amendment took effect on 22 October.

Important things to remember: While this rule change will allow smaller signs to be used on NSW roads, Transport for NSW still recommends the use of larger signs for better visibility wherever possible. All long vehicles (>7.5m) that wish to use a lane other than the designated turn lane to turn, must have the correct ‘Do not overtake turning vehicle’ sign attached to the back of the vehicle. See the Australian Road Rules for more details. Transport for NSW will be running a community education campaign to remind all road users not to overtake turning heavy vehicles and buses. We appreciate the input from industry and the work of all stakeholders to make sure NSW road rules remain relevant and maintain safety on our roads. If you have any questions or concerns about the NSW road rule change, please contact us.

What do you know about this sign? Test your knowledge with our Do Not Overtake Turning Vehicles quiz.

AUTO NEWS Transport for NSW takes action on AIS fraud AIS examiners have been investigated and charged for issuing false and misleading inspection reports and producing false or misleading material. In a wide reaching audit of examiners, the Audit and Investigations Unit in Transport for NSW has found a number of examiners were conducting fraudulent activities under the Crimes Act 1900 (Crimes Act) and the Road Transport Regulation 2017. The penalties for these offences ranged from thousands of dollars in fines, to community correction orders and community service. In addition to these convictions, Transport for NSW

also cancelled their examiner authority so they can no longer participate in the scheme. Our Audit and Investigations Unit will continue to work hard to make sure the vehicles on our roads are safe. Fraudulent behaviour of this kind can put many people’s lives at risk. Whilst Transport for NSW supports industry by providing education and training, where appropriate, sanctions will be applied for high-risk behaviour and repeat offences. If you know of any persons engaged in fraudulent activity within the AIS program, you can notify us.

Authorised Examiners driving down vehicle theft and rebirthing The Authorised Inspection Scheme is a key partner with Transport for NSW in the fight against vehicle theft and rebirthing. Rebirthing is the practice of giving a stolen vehicle a new identity or using parts of a stolen vehicle to upgrade, modify or repair a vehicle. There were 38,187 vehicles reported stolen in Australia in the 12 months to June 2021 with a total value of $542.3 million. In the past year, 10,996 vehicles were stolen in NSW alone. Of these vehicles it is estimated that 3,515 thefts were profit motivated. The profit motivated theft rate is the measure of stolen vehicles being converted to cash through means such as scrap metal, insurance fraud, export or rebirthing. The Transport for NSW Vehicle Identity Unit works closely with our AIS Business Partners

in preventing the registration of stolen and rebirthed vehicles. In the first nine months of 2021, Authorised Examiners have referred 607 vehicles with identification irregularities to the Vehicle Identity Unit. These irregularities range from simple matters such as new engines with no identifiers, to complex rebirthed vehicles that are associated with organised crime syndicates. The Vehicle Identification Referral is a process that Authorised Examiners must use to refer a vehicle with identification irregularities to Transport for NSW. The form can be accessed through the AIS online portal or on our website. The Vehicle Identity Unit operates state-wide. If you have information on the registration of rebirthed vehicles, contact our team by phone on 1300 775 676 or email us.