Breakthrough truck fatigue laws will go ahead

Queensland Minister for Transport and Main Roads Paul Lucas has reiterated the State Government’s commitment to major reform of the heavy vehicle industry.

“From March one, a small minority of truck drivers who break the law will find it much harder to dodge their responsibility not to use our roads while fatigued to meet unrealistic delivery deadlines” Mr Lucas said.

Mr Lucas was responding to protests by a small group of owner drivers who claim they’re being victimised by the new laws.

“On the one hand they claim government safety regulations are making business difficult for them, yet they also complain about unscrupulous competitors who undercut them by breaking the law”.

“Fatigue related crashes are avoidable but some heavy vehicle drivers continue to push themselves to limit and the results can be fatal”, Mr Lucas said.

For the first time, the new laws introduce demerit points. The penalties include:

• 3 demerit points and a $600 fine for failing to carry a log book or record the required information in the logbook;

• up to 3 demerit points and up to a $600 fine for exceeding regulated total driving/work hours (in 24-hour period);

• up to 3 demerit points and up to a $600 fine for exceeding regulated continuous driving/work hours;

• up to 3 demerit points and up to a $600 fine for not taking a regulated rest break;

• up to 3 demerit points and a $1500 fine for driving against a prohibition imposed by a transport inspector or police officer for a prior breach of the regulation.

Queensland led Australia in introducing Chain of Responsibility laws which target the Mr. Bigs who make truckies drive unfair and unsafe hours.

Now we are leading the nation with demerit points for fatigue related offences.

“My message is simple - break the law and you could lose your licence”, Mr Lucas said.

“This is not a popularity contest. If you’re driving dangerous hours, then you’re a ticking time bomb. You risk not only killing yourself but other innocent road users.”

“I want to make it crystal clear that 99% of truck drivers do a good job and need protection from the rogue operators who do the wrong thing.”

Mr Lucas said, “I’ve had concerns certain trucking bosses might be paying the fines of drivers caught for fatigue offences.”

The introduction of demerit points will level the playing field and applies to this perilous practice whether you are a millionaire or a battler – and so it should.

Media Contact: Darren Roberts 3237 1947, 0448 184566.