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ROAD SAFETY PROJECT FUNDING A BUSNSW project to improve road safety has been selected as one of 26 initiatives aimed at saving lives and reducing road trauma to share in AUD$5.9 million under Round 5 of the Australian government’s Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiative (HVSI), it’s been announced. BusNSW executive director Matt Threlkeld says it was very pleasing to have a project selected as part of this important programme aimed at delivering safety benefits to the heavy vehicle industry, other road users and the community. “The funding and support administered by the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator provides a great opportunity for the bus and coach industry to promote road safety, particularly in regard to heavy vehicles,” Threlkeld said. “One of the most common hazards in the bus and coach industry arises from on-road safety risks that result from a bus breakdown,” he explained. “While breakdowns can occur in all motor vehicles, the hazards associated with bus breakdowns – where the vehicle is usually carrying public passengers and often schoolchildren – can be significant,” he added. “The aim of the project is to address risks by producing practical guidance material for all parties in the supply chain
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associated with bus breakdowns, specifically bus drivers, operators, maintenance staff, emergency assistance providers and replacement bus drivers. “While BusNSW will be the lead agency responsible for developing the guidance material, the project will provide regional, cross-jurisdictional and national safety benefits for the industry,” Threlkeld confirmed. “The guidelines will be developed in close consultation with the Bus Industry Confederation and other state associations, who are members of the Bus Australia Network. “They will be available to all members, which means they will assist approximately 3,500 bus operators and over 50,000 bus drivers throughout Australia,” he said.
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“It is absolutely vital we continue to invest in critical initiatives that improve road safety.”
Above: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack. Opposite, Below: McCormack says innovative projects delivering safety benefits to the heavy vehicle industry and other road users would be funded.
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campaigns and much-needed training and development,” he said. “This includes funding for the recently launched Healthy Heads in Trucks and Sheds foundation to ramp up their work to improve the mental health of people in the heavy vehicle sector nationwide, from drivers right through to warehouse and distribution centre staff. “Some of the technology-focused projects include testing
ABC August 2020 busnews.com.au
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FUNDING BOOST Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack says innovative projects delivering safety benefits to the heavy vehicle industry and other road users would be funded. “Projects being funded this round target key areas such as developing or testing innovative new technologies, mental health support for drivers, educational
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