Trucking deaths fall by 80 per cent

The Centre for Automotive Safety Research (CASR) has reported that fatalities among Australian truck drivers has fallen 80 per cent between 1982 to 2015.

The statistics compiled at the University of Adelaide suggest that enhanced safety measures in the truck industry has contributed to the decrease in deaths in the industry.

Australian Trucking Association (ATA) CEO Chris Melham believes that despite industry growth, trucking has come a long way in terms of reducing fatalities on the job.

“During this time, the number of articulated trucks on Australian roads doubled.

“Even as truck and car numbers have grown, the rate of fatal accidents has fallen thanks to better roads, improvements in vehicle design, stronger laws and the industry’s own commitment to safety.

The ATA recently held a meeting with parties and candidates to discuss increasing stability control for trucks and trailers.

Melham has criticised the Road Safety Remuneration Tribunal (RSRT) for establishing its price fixing system.

“Stability control is an outstanding safety tool.

“There is compelling evidence that it would save lives, and it would open the way to even more advanced safety technologies that would save even more lives in the future.

“In contrast, there is no proven link between the price fixing established by the former Road Safety Remuneration Tribunal and safety.

“The safety figures used by the TWU to justify the tribunal have been shown to be flawed.

“Instead of improving safety, the RSRT made small trucking businesses uncompetitive, and imposed an enormous paperwork burden on the industry.”