NEWS & VIEWS
NATROAD REALIGNS WITH POWER TORQUE “NatRoad is working hard to provide the industry with a voice, and we invite feedback from Power Torque readers on the issues they are facing,” said Warren Clark, NatRoad CEO, after reaffirming the strong relationship between his organisation and PowerTorque Magazine. “NatRoad looks forward to providing Power Torque readers with up-to-date, relevant industry information to help keep them on the road. Our team regularly meets with key decisions makers and regulators in the industry to improve the operating environment for all. Therefore, NatRoad looks forward to working with Power Torque to keep operators informed on changes that affect their business.” First cab off the rank is NatRoads campaign to improve payment terms and stop owner-operators being used as ‘Cheap Finance’. The NSW Small Business Commissioner has recently released the Small Business Shorter Payment Terms Policy, which requires companies entering into contracts with the NSW Government to pay their subcontractors within 20 business days
following the receipt of invoice. This applies to contracts from July 1 2021 with a value of $7.5 million or more. Although this is a welcome change, it only applies to a small number of owneroperators, with large numbers of operators struggling to pay their own bills. Delayed payments or non-payments are
Warren Clark, NatRoad CEO
the major contributors to business closure. Large companies are effectively using sub-contractors as a way to finance their operations by not paying them on time. NatRoad said it continues to lobby the federal government to make 30-day payments a maximum time within which payment to a small business must be made. A national law to that effect would help end the uncertainty and inconsistency of payment times for transport small businesses. Many companies are using COVID-19 as an excuse to push payment times out further than 30 days. In the face of this trend, it is hoped that the changes in NSW point to a trend that can help reduce the uncertainty and inconsistency of payment times for small transport owner-operators. But more needs to be done and similar changes should be introduced nationally and made law rather than form part of a government code. Better support and protection are needed for road transport operators to keep them on the road during these turbulent times.
TRUCK CRASHES WENT DOWN DURING THE PANDEMIC It is common knowledge in the trucking industry, but the the latest accident research has confirmed that the number of truck crashes went down during the pandemic. NTI’s National Truck Accident Research Centre (NTARC) today published its 10th, and now annual, national report into the cause of major crashes involving heavy vehicles, has found that during COVID Australia’s roads were the safest they’ve been in years, with the number of multi-vehicle crashes involving heavy vehicles down more than 16 percent. NTARC author, Adam Gibson, of NTI, said the positive findings came despite more trucks and freight being on Australian roads, particularly during the pandemic. “The industry should be congratulated for keeping Australia moving and for keeping supermarket shelves stocked especially during COVID lockdowns,” said Adam.
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The report found evidence road safety messaging is working, with fatiguerelated crashes involving heavy vehicles down from 27 per cent in 2005 to eight per cent last year. “There’s been a massive reduction in multi-vehicle crashes involving trucks and the lowest number of fatiguerelated crashes since NTI began keeping records 18 years ago,” said Adam. “It is a credit to the industry, truck drivers and all road users.” Technology and smart trucks are key to further driving down the road toll. The report found one in eight truck crashes were due to inappropriate speed for the conditions, however this did not mean the vehicles were exceeding the speed limit. “Speed cameras, radar traps and increased speed enforcement help deter high speed offences, but data shows technology and smart braking systems on trucks are key to reducing singlevehicle rollover crashes,” said Adam.
NTI is working with the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) to use data from the NTARC report to develop new education initiatives to further improve road safety. “Australia’s trucking industry is set for an information boom over the next decade, which will help improve safety and increase productivity,” said Sal Petroccitto, NHVR CEO. “The NHVR is committed to ongoing fatigue detection programs and support, together with delivering safety campaigns such as We Need Space, aimed at reminding light vehicle drivers about the importance of driving safely around truck drivers on the road. “We want every driver to travel safely and arrive safely at their destination and ensure these NTARC report figures continue to improve.” Since 2003, when the first NTARC report was released, the number of freight movements and heavy vehicles has increased by 50 per cent.
