Government makes changes to national road vehicle standards

The Australian Government has made changes to the national road vehicle standards to reduce road trauma while bolstering freight productivity.

The “safer freight vehicles package” includes an increase to the overall width limit from 2.50 to 2.55 metres for new trucks that are fitted with a number of safety features.

These safety features include devices to reduce blind spots, electronic stability control, advanced emergency braking, a lane departure warning system, better reflective markings, and side guards to stop pedestrians and cyclists from being caught up under the rear wheels of trucks.

Additionally, a number of safety devices and sensors will be able to be fitted to trucks without counting towards the width and length measurements.

This includes front and kerb view mirrors to better see around the front-left corner of the vehicle, external parts of camera monitor systems for improved indirect vision, blind spot sensors, and cross-view mirrors to see in front of bonneted vehicles.

The overall width limit for buses and trailers won’t change, however, the government said they will also benefit from more safety devices being excluded from width and length measurements.

While this change will allow manufacturers to design and supply these safer trucks in Australia, operators should continue to engage with their registration authority to determine whether road access permits are required.

The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) welcomed the announcement as the regulator had long advocated for increased harmonisation of Australian vehicle standards with global standards, according to NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto.

“These changes will allow manufacturers to bring their latest designs, fitted with a full suite of safety and environmental technologies, to market in Australia,” Petroccitto said.

“Several years ago, the NHVR identified current width limits as a barrier to the take-up of safety technologies in our vehicle safety and environmental technology uptake plan,” he said.

“The changes introduced by the Safer Freight Vehicles package will ensure the safest vehicles are available in Australia – helping to keep drivers, pedestrians and all road users safe.”