Heavy vehicle fatigue management system

Eligibility - Queensland residents
Principal Petitioner:
Kenneth Wilkie
415 Beaudesert Beenleigh Road
BANNOCKBURN QLD 4207
Total Signatures - 237
Sponsoring Member: Jon Krause MP
Posting Date: 3/7/2013
Closing Date: 3/1/2014
Tabled Date: 6/8/2014
Responded By: Hon Scott Emerson MP on 5/9/2014
TO: The Honourable the Speaker and Members of the Legislative Assembly of Queensland

Queensland residents draws to the attention of the House the road transport industry request to implement a fatigue management legal framework that both protects society from irresponsible fatigue inducing acts by heavy vehicle operators and guarantees heavy vehicle operators the dignity, decency and respect in law afforded every other law abiding citizen of this country - that is to earn a living in an essential and responsible industry as is every Australian's birth right.

 

The current eastern states regulations cannot achieve desired safety outcomes. Significant numbers of accidents occur within 5 hours of starting the driving task or between midnight and 6.00am. The rigid eastern state parameters put pressure on drivers to complete a task within a set time limitation.  Current eastern state regulations through their significant discrimination and rigorous enforcement are forcing responsible drivers from the industry as well as deterring younger aspirants from entering the profession. The flexibility of the West Australian system will eliminate onerous legal ramifications when a driver accidentally makes simple clerical errors or exceeds time limits by small margins. It will also provide drivers with a respect currently denied by zealous and ineffective regulations.

 

Your petitioners, therefore, request the House to adopt the West Australian fatigue regulations for heavy vehicle operators as the only fatigue management scheme under national regulations.