NRSPP would like to warmly welcome Australian Pilot Vehicle Drivers Association as a Program Partner and looks forward to working with them in the future.

What sector does your organisation operate within?

Pilot Vehicle Drivers – Heavy Haulage – Escorting Oversize/over-dimension transport.

Pilot vehicles are “official safety warning vehicles”.

What size is your fleet or the number of staff who generate your transport task?

There are thousands of pilots drivers across Australia.  Most of them are independent operators, self-employed sub-contractors.  Some are employed by pilot companies as drivers of fleet vehicles.

Describe what road safety means to your organisation?

Road safety is the prime purpose of Australia’s Pilot Vehicle Drivers.

It is the pilot’s role to ensure the safe transportation of the oversize load, the safety of all vehicles and drivers involved in the move, and the safety of all motorists in the vicinity of the oversize load.

What action(s) could your organisation do to support road safety through the NRSPP & by when?

1.      To develop a national media campaign.

The campaign would utilise all media to educate the Australian motoring public to “see the sign” and about the role of the pilot vehicle drivers, and their authority in the performance of their duties.

The campaign would also educate motorists on their responsiblities in the vicinity of oversize loads.

THEME : “Give way to Oversize Loads and Pilot Vehicles”.

June 2018
2.      To develop national pilot vehicle driver harmonisation for all states.

Harmonisation is the ultimate goal of the Australian pilot vehicle drivers.

National harmonisation will bring all states into line with the qualifications of all pilot vehicle drivers in all states.

The National Transport Commission (NTC) ran a complementary project in parallel with the Austroads about 4 years ago, but the states have been unable, or unwilling, to work towards the goal of one set of national guidelines.

The states with accreditation, WA, NT, Qld and Vic have different guidelines, some conflict with other states.  NSW and SA don’t have any accreditation, and also have conflicting rules and grey areas, open to interpretation by transport operators.

The WA and NT transport and pilots have been reluctant to join the NHVR until the teething problems had been sorted out.  The future is looking good now..

December 2019
3.      To educate all learner drivers nationally, about the hazards presented by   oversize loads, and their role and responsibility while driving in the vicinity of these large loads.  To emphasise the duties of a pilot driver. e.g closing roads.

Western Australia has a comprehensive tutorial in the learner drivers’ manual which addresses this issue.  Refer to the website of Main Roads WA.

January 2018
4.      To guide the recreational vehicle community about cooperating with the pilot vehicle drivers and truck drivers involved in an oversize movement and encouraging them to install UHF radios to communicate with the pilots and drivers. April 2018

 

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