Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 307 i Owner Driver

OCTOBER 1 IS THE DATE when the amended Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) comes into play. At long last the onus will be on everyone in the supply chain to have an obligation to ensure, as best as humanly possible, that the truck driver and other road users can go about their business in a safe manner. The changes to the Chain of Responsibility (COR) laws will not start and stop with the driver, but will cover all parties, including operators, schedulers, loading managers and consignors. Unfortunately, it appears that the driver will, as in the past, remain the soft target for roadside authorities. If the driver breaches fatigue management requirements or speed limits, they’re going to cop another hefty fine. Certainly, those further up the chain who place undue…

ON SEPTEMBER 1, a new road rule will be introduced in New South Wales requiring drivers to slow down to 40km/h when passing stationary emergency vehicles displaying red or blue flashing lights. The NSW Government has launched a statewide campaign to prepare motorists for the introduction of the new road rule, which is says is designed to improve the safety of emergency workers and road users when they’re stopped on the road. The new rule, which will be introduced on a trial basis for 12 months, applies to vehicles travelling in both directions, unless the road is divided by a median strip. Motorists who ignore the new speed limit will face penalties, including a $448 fine and the loss of three demerit points. NSW Centre for Road Safety executive director…

I HAVE HAD A FEW REPLIES from the associations and groups I sent last month’s three issues to. NatRoad says it is working on these issues and that anyone wanting them fixed should join NatRoad. I have replied saying not all will join or feel recognised or supported by some or any group for that matter, and our aim is to better represent those who work on the road full time. I will work with anyone who will help us win something to improve life on the road, but thus far, and please correct me if I am wrong, we have not solved these issues, let alone many others – though I agree, not without trying. Road Freight NSW also wanted me to join. It has said the issues are…

I WONDER HOW MANY operators and drivers have heard about the Review of Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL). It seems like a new bit of paperwork comes out every week. But this one could be big, or I hope it could. The National Transport Commission (NTC) has recently spoken with industry associations and parties about the review, asking for opinions of what will be looked at and how long it will take. What we’ve been contemplating in associations like the Australian Trucking Association and the Australian Livestock and Rural Transporters’ Association is working out what we’d like to see in their Terms of Reference, which is the list of anything we want something considered or examined. I know what you’re thinking; same old bullshit, discussing the froth and not examining…

Cart before horse … again How many towns do you drive through where there’s nowhere to pull up? Can’t use the public toilets because they don’t have anywhere near to stop. Can’t get a feed. Can’t get near a supermarket. Some put up bollards, some plant trees, some put up ‘no standing’ signs. Since I’ve stopped doing two-up and started running around solo with the tanker, it’s amazed me how bad it’s gotten. Old road houses known and loved have closed. It’s plastic food if you’re lucky and the same goes for parking! Then you see this. Full steam ahead with the electronic work diary (EWD)! I pulled into the Caltex at Warwick last week. Nowhere to park. Caravans in the truck parking area. I did a lap but ended…

HOUSANDS OF HEAVY vehicles T intercepted, millions of dollars expended on stopping and inspecting them, tens of millions in revenue collected, and potentially billions in revenue lost to our economy. All with no real understanding as to the benefit it delivered to preventing road trauma in the heavy vehicle industry. Something must change in regards to this enforcement mindset. Given the staggering amount spent on compliance efforts by regulators—the training programs, hotlines, and other systems designed to prevent and detect breaches, is industry not entitled to see a direct benefit and know the outcomes it is achieving? For highly regulated industries – like transport – the real costs are in the hundreds of millions, and ultimately consumers pay for these costs in higher prices. The reality is, assessments of the…

“FROM OUR COMPREHENSIVELY STOCKED SYDNEY WAREHOUSE, WE SERVICE ALL AUSTRALIAN STATES AS WELL AS NEIGHBOURING COUNTRIES” Australian Brake Controls are a brake specialist with a long history of knowledge in the field. Gerry Lewis who is a mechanical engineer says that we often help our customers’ to diagnose their brake problems. We know the products that we sell, we know what the products do and where they fit. Our workshop specialises in fitting “systems” to trucks, such as Dual Line air hook-ups, truck ABS, truck ECAS, trailer load sensing valves, ABS, and EBS. We also diagnose Wabco and Knorr-Bremse ABS and EBS. We’ve been around since 1987 and we’re trusted in the industry. Australian Brake Controls are well positioned to supply genuine products at competitive prices from world leading companies…

A COOLPOWER announces the arrival of a 1978 R Model Mack. Gillian Buckley hears it from the garden of her home at Strathbogie, Victoria. Her daughter Karah hears it too, as does her granddaughter Lexi. It has been 18 months since Gillian’s husband Brian ‘Buck’ Buckley took the R Model to Emil Barbic and Mario Grosso at Oaklands Junction for restoration. “That was probably the last time he drove a truck,” Gillian says. Brian passed away in April, 2017, six weeks after the restoration began. He was only 60. Gillian didn’t meet Emil and Mario until Brian’s funeral, but she has spoken to them throughout the restoration and she greets them like old friends as they arrive in the Mack. “They’ve been wonderful,” Gillian says. “I couldn’t have done it…

“They must speak to the monkey, not the organ grinder.” YOU’D HAVE TO BE LIVING UNDER A ROCK not to know that the ‘Safe Rates’ debate has raised its much-maligned head once again. While the majority would rather see it disappear along with their dignity, the ‘staunch’ haven’t given up on educating the pitiful about what the industry, and this country as a whole, has the potential to gain from its success. Let’s start with that bit about the whole country prospering from a safe rate, or let’s say a rate increase. Obviously (to most) it means more tax, and if there is one thing this country needs, it’s more tax dollars. Once upon a time a rate rise would mean an increase in the cost of living, but that’s…

TOLL HAS WON FAIR WORK COMMISSION (FWC) approval to expand the use of driver-focused safety technology to other group operations. FWC deputy president Richard Clancy ruled against Transport Worker Union (TWU) objections based on personal safety concerns and enterprise agreement powers. The dispute relates to whether Toll has a right to further implement Guardian technology in its Toll Liquids (Liquids) and Toll Linehaul & Fleet Services (Linehaul) and digital video recorder (DVR) cameras in its Liquids business. The Guardian technology relies on infrared mechanisms to track driver eye behaviour with audio and seat vibration alarms which sound immediately to alert the driver of fatigue events. The TWU safety objection focuses on questions surrounding such research and the effects of low-level infrared beams on line-haul drivers. In Clancy’s eyes, this foundered…

Shane Batterbee (Orica Australia) John Bowden (De Bruyns Transport) Darryl Cone (Toll) Simon Christensen (BLU Logistics Solutions) Eric Christie (Visy Logistics) Phillip Crowe (Total Concrete Solutions) Robert Davis (Boral Logistics) Tim Johnes (Jets Transport) Peter Karger (Bordertown Haulage & Trading) Brad Kennedy (Western Freight Management) Chris Medway (LINX) Craig Mengel (Exodas) Adam Penelope (Australia Post) Matt Robson (K Trans WA) Keith Taylor (Borg Manufacturing Logistics) Kris Venema (K Venema) Mark Warburton (G1 Logistics) Steve Wastell (BLU Logistics Solutions) Jamie Williams (Fulton Hogan) Arch Wiegard (Arch Transport) David Winter (Linfox)…

A TRUCK DRIVER who assisted at a major accident in November 2017 has been recognised for his actions with the Australian Trucking Association’s (ATA) Bridgestone Bandag Highway Guardian award. George Athanasiou, an Australian Personnel Solutions (APS) contractor engaged by Americold on a major account, was en route to make a delivery on the Mornington Peninsula when he came across the crash site where a car had collided with a tow truck picking up a stricken vehicle at a major intersection. He positioned his truck to protect the victims of the accident, including the severely injured tow truck driver, by blocking traffic and assisting where he could. Athanasiou was presented the Bridgestone Bandag Highway Guardian accolade at Americold’s Laverton depot by Bridgestone national commercial manager Geoff May and ATA chairman Geoff…

THE LATEST WORKPLACE INJURY and fatality statistics released by Safe Work Australia show that the road transport industry has the highest fatality rate of workers, at around 15 deaths per 100,000 workers, compared to other industries. Although there has been a significant fall in the number of worker fatalities in the road transport industry since 2007, there has been no further reduction over the last three years. The Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics reports that 185 people died in crashes involving heavy vehicles during 2017. These statistics are unacceptable. Heavy vehicle operators, the supply chain, governments and all road users must work together to reach a target of zero deaths. The re-introduction of so called ‘safe rates’ is not the answer. From October 1 this year, all members…

DIESEL 30 – THE GREATEST HITS Diesel Bloodlines/Universal www.bloodlinesmusic.com.au This comprehensive double CD greatest hits package spans the career of Mark Lizotte, better known as Diesel, from 1989 to 2018. Bookending the 30 tracks are the newly recorded rocker ‘Give Me Saturday Night’, with a cover of the Buddy Holly hit ‘Rave On’, from Diesel’s 2016 album Americana, coming in at track 30. In between are three from his 1989 debut as Johnny Diesel & The Injectors, including top 10 hit ‘Cry In Shame’. His most successful song ‘Tip Of My Tongue’ is among five tracks from his second album Hepfidelity, while the soul classic ‘I Can’t Stand The Rain’ is lifted from Short Cool Ones, his 1996 collaboration with Melbourne bluesman Chris Wilson. Of note are two mid-paced rock…

Diesel mechanics Emil Barbic and Mario Grosso met during their apprenticeships with Mack at Melbourne. And now they enjoy collaborating on restoration and mechanical work from Oaklands Junction, Victoria. Mario remembers when Brian Buckley took the 1978 R Model Mack to Oaklands Junction in March 2017. “It was hard for Brian to tell us where his health was in his life, but he wanted us to understand so that we could help him achieve what he wanted.” Brian wanted the truck finished by August 2017 so he could drive it to the National Road Transport Hall of Fame Reunion in Alice Springs. To save time, Emil and Mario outsourced the panel and paint work to Litz & Transcolour and assigned trimming and auto electricals to contractors. But Brian passed away…

NATIONAL ROAD TRANSPORT HALL OF FAME REUNION 2018 August 24 to 26, 2018. Alice Springs, NT Held at the Road Transport Historical Society Museum. Includes the 2018 Shell Rimula Wall of Fame Induction Ceremony on Saturday, August 25, Shell Rimula Gourmet Barbecue and more. For info and nomination forms email info@roadtransporthall.com or phone 0429 201 549 or see the website at www.roadtransporthall.com LOWOOD TRUCK SHOW August 25, 2018. Lowood, Qld Held at the Lowood Showgrounds. Show commences with vehicle parade through Main St, Lowood at 11am. Trucks, bikes, cars on display. Kids’ rides, trade and food stands, bar and entertainment. Free entry, donations welcome. Supporting Truckies’ Aid. For further info email thelowoodtruckshow@hotmail.com, phone Rob on 0404 614 012, Kassie on 0414 665 396, email thelowoodtruckshow@hotmail.com or see the Facebook page.…

ALLIANCE TRUCK PARTS has introduced what it claims is the first Australian-made injection moulded 700mm wide truck mudguard. Alliance says the MG700 guard is UV-stabilised for optimum durability in harsh Australian conditions and is aimed at trucks with wider drive tyres. The internal width of the new MG700 mudguard is an additional 50mm compared to the current MG650, allowing for extra clearance for wider-profile tyres and various truck models. The polypropylene guards, which Alliance says are 100 per cent recyclable, feature ribs on the inside, which provide strength but also helps keep down spray. The MG700 guards are available in a range of different colours. This product joins the 620mm and 650mm Alliance Truck Parts Australian-made mudguards in the local lineup and can be used with existing Alliance mudguard accessories.…

A TRUCK DRIVER in a Facebook video which was posted last month has come to the attention of Victoria Police and its Heavy Vehicle Unit. The driver, seen wearing a Doncarm Transport polo shirt, is seen blatantly boasting about his drug-taking antics. However, the ABC has reported that the Victoria-based company went their separate ways months ago. Feedback on Owner//Driver’s website and Facebook page condemned the culprit, most suggesting it will give fuel to those with an already negative attitude towards the truck industry, as well as giving the authorities another excuse for a new blitz. The chair of the Australian Trucking Association, Geoff Crouch, was quick to slam the driver who videoed himself taking what appears to be illegal substances in the cab of his truck. “This is not…

I’M NOT REALLY SURE what I was expecting when I climbed behind the wheel of a Volvo FH 540 in Sweden recently. The European-market-only 6x4 rigid tipper and tri-axle pig trailer seemed pretty run of the mill for this part of the world as I walked towards it under a grey March sky. But it was the writing on the door I was interested in; it loudly proclaimed that this particular truck was equipped with Volvo’s I-Shift Dual Clutch transmission. That all sounds well and good in theory, but what does that mean from behind the wheel? I was about to find out. There was nothing inside to give the game away in regards to the cog-box under the cab and the gear selector was still the familiar seat-mounted unit…

HOW MANY FUNERALS WILL IT TAKE? How many wage ripoffs or non-payment of super will it take? How many owner-driver businesses going to the wall? How many truck driver suicides? How many crises does our industry have to endure before the Federal Government takes note and does something? By any standards, these past couple of years have been tough for drivers. We’ve seen the deaths and injuries from truck crashes go up, with an almost 10 per cent jump to September last year overall. While other industries are seeing a decrease in workplace deaths, deaths among drivers is going up – over 30 per cent of all worker deaths involve a transport worker. Some horrific crashes have prompted empty, insulting and misguided responses from politicians. We heard from the New…

FOUR NEW AWARDS have been introduced by Heavy Vehicle Industry Australia (HVIA) to acknowledge and celebrate the innovative road transport industry down under. Announced in July, the new awards are the Community Leadership Award, Product Innovation Award, Peter Langworthy Future Leader Award, and Productivity Innovation Award. HVIA chairman Nathan Usher says the new awards reinforce the association’s vision of an innovative, prosperous heavy vehicle industry, supporting the safest, most productive fleet. “HVIA is introducing three prestigious new awards focusing on innovation, reflecting the maturity of the heavy vehicle industry in Australia and its leadership on the world stage,” Usher says. “I am also delighted to announce the inaugural Peter Langworthy Future Leader Award. “The Future Leader Award has been launched with the support of Peter’s family, to honour our greatly…

CHAIN OF RESPONSIBILITY! Industry associations – or the private sector bureaucracy are all full of energy responding to their public sector comrades’ new improved version of the chain of responsibility regulations. I just can’t get my mind around why the business sector has to be so very concerned with chain of responsibility when the public sector is never expected to be held responsible for anything. Those poor gullible souls who have taken the time to read my warbling know I am disgusted by the psychological stress put upon truckies through the enforcement of non-researched and presumption-based regulations imposed by the public bureaucracy on the drivers and operators of this industry. In days gone by when NatRoad was arguing to achieve a better position economically on the national front, when it…

A S I PREVIOUSLY WROTE, there comes a time when you are looking for someone to work with, either an employee or a sub-contractor, who will spend a substantial time on the road, driving from point A to point B and interacting with the general public on your behalf. What are the three most important things you look for in a person? The feedback I received from a community of 50,000 drivers and transport owners and operators was: • Attitude of the person: 44 per cent • Customer service and communication: 21 per cent • Driving ability and record: 15 per cent • Personal hygiene: 12 per cent • Mechanical skill: 8 per cent. We have discussed the first four things that people ‘look for’ in a person being attitude…

THE NASHVILLE TAPES Adam Harvey Sony Music www.adamharvey.com.au As the title suggests, Australia’s Adam Harvey jetted off to Nashville, Tennessee to record his 10th studio album. Producer Nash Chambers also made the trip, recruiting “music city’s” top session musicians for the 12 tracks on The Nashville Tapes. Lee Kernaghan drops in, adding vocals to a cover of the old Slim Dusty hit ‘Three Rivers Hotel’. Harvey reminisces about the golden age of Aussie car manufacturing on ‘Those Holden Days’, and then heads to the bar after a relationship breakdown on ‘We’ll Have To Drink Our Way Out Of This’, a song Harvey co-wrote with Troy Cassar-Daley. A flattering cover of the Neil Diamond ’60s classic ‘Solitary Man’ rounds out this new album from the eight-time Golden Guitar winner. BACK ROADS…

HETHER YOU DRIVE for a W living, for pleasure or merely as a means to get from point A to point B, driving a motor vehicle is a privilege that comes with major personal and legal responsibilities. Driving is a complex skill, both physically and mentally. People with diabetes who drive need to take extra precautions. The main danger for those who take insulin or glucose-lowering medications is the risk of developing hypoglycaemia (hypo), when the blood glucose level drops below 4mmol/L or you develop symptoms – see table below. However, most hypos can be prevented by checking your blood glucose level (BGL) before driving and making sure that it is above 5mmol/L before you drive. It is also important to check your BGL every two hours during driving which…

Changes to global emission standards have resulted in engine manufacturers requiring the next generation of oils that can survive for longer at higher temperatures. Original Engine Manufacturer (OEM) test standards are used to ensure oil manufacturers comply to these new engine oil requirements. Valvoline All Fleet PLUS E900 has been tested to these standards with formal OEM approvals, together with comprehensive proven performance in the field to ensure trouble free operation of your equipment. The next generation of diesel engine oils have been designed to meet the latest specification, in this case API CK-4, the standard endorsed by the American Petroleum Institute (API). While reducing costly servicing is one of the key considerations for OEM’s, next generation oils are designed to perform in higher temperature like those found in the…