A major change to Australian design rules promises to be a “game changer” for Australia’s shift to electric freight transport.
The new rule announced by the federal government will allow wider trucks on Australian roads, bringing the country in line with overseas markets and removing one of the key barriers to local uptake of heavy duty electric trucks, as most overseas-built models were just a few centimetres too wide to meet Australia’s previous standards.
“This Safer Freight Vehicles package responds to direct calls from industry to increase the width limit of trucks and follows extensive public consultation and feedback,” said federal assistant minister for infrastructure and transport Carol Brown.
“These changes will be a real game changer for industry, businesses and other road users, as they will save lives by adopting technology to reduce the likelihood of crashes, while also lowering freight costs and supporting better environmental outcomes.”
The change increases the overall width limit from 2.50 to 2.55 metres for new trucks, as long as they are fitted with safety features such as side guards and devices to limit blind spots.
Maybe it’s different in other states but in South-East QLD, I’ve had some pretty bad experiences with truck drivers. Just the other week I was in traffic on the Pacific Motorway and an earthmoving truck (tipper with trailer) was effectively tailgating me, barely leaving enough stopping distance for the common sudden stops from 70km/hr. Another truck was flashing his lights and tailgating me at 100km/hr on the Logan Motorway.
But basically everyone on the road is a dickhead so mileage may vary. It’s just scarier when it’s a truck
Tipper drivers are a whole different breed, and the hardcore roadrager driving you see from them is driven by economics cos they mostly get paid by the load not the hours.
Though it’s no excuse for them to make that my problem. If their work conditions are poor they should work somewhere else or unionise