NHVR Releases Safer Freight Vehicles Standards Guide

The NHVR has released VSG35 which provides guidance on the safety features required to be fitted to a heavy vehicle in order to be allowed general access at 2.55m under the Safer Freight Vehicle reforms.

These reforms are the result of industry calls to reform the mass dimension and loading regulations to facilitate the uptake of advanced safety features in heavy vehicles.

After considerable lobbying from industry, ministers agreed to the Safer Freight Vehicle reforms and the changes to the Australian Design Rules and the Road Vehicle Standards Act to allow for these vehicles were passed in 2023.

Amendments to the Heavy Vehicle National Law and the Mass Dimension and Loading Regulations were passed this year.

HVIA Policy and Legislation Adviser Greg Forbes welcomes the publication of VSG35 which represents the final piece of guidance material required to enable the reforms.

The Safer Freight Vehicle reforms are the result of a successful campaign by industry to increase the number of vehicle models in Australia which have advanced safety features such as Advanced Emergency Braking, Lane Departure Warning Systems and Blind Spot Information systems.

The cost of re-engineering imported heavy vehicles to meet the narrower Australian widths was a significant barrier to adoption. HVIA made the case to the Government which paves the way for an increase in the range of these vehicles available in Australia.

VSG35 is available here.