The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) recently released new good practice guidance to support industry uptake of rapidly emerging fatigue and distraction detection technologies.
“Fatigue and distraction detection technologies has been proven to play an influential role in reducing driver fatigue and distraction – and is a clear demonstration of how industry continues to innovate with safety technologies,” said NHVR CEO, Sal Petroccitto.
“We know industry is supportive of fatigue and distraction detection technologies but is also eager for greater guidance on how to effectively implement it and to better understand their regulatory responsibilities in managing fatigue and distraction detection technology alerts and data.
“The NHVR studies on fatigue and distraction detection technology continually show the importance of the positive relationship between the company and driver, and having an absolute authority to stop driving as key to improving safety.”
The fatigue and distraction detection technology (FDDT) Good Practice Guidance Material and Guidance Summary were prepared in partnership with Professor Drew Dawson, Andrew Higginson and Dr Maddy Sprajcer as part of the NHVR’s commissioned Fatigue and Distraction Detection Technology (FDDT) – What Good Practice Looks Like project.
The guidance material includes:
- An overview of the safety benefits and types of technologies available
- Instructions on how to install, set-up and maintain fatigue and distraction detection technologies
- Information and fillable templates on how to meet your safety duties under the HVNL
- Fatigue and distraction event procedures and processes to reasonably respond to alerts
Most fatigue and distraction detection technologies deliver an immediate alert to a driver when it senses potential fatigue or distraction by using in-vehicle cameras that analyse footage, with the aim of delivering better safety outcomes.
South Australian Road Transport Association executive director, Steve Shearer, said roads will be safer by providing operators with the tools and knowledge to effectively manage fatigue and distraction.
“There is little information available to industry on how to effectively use fatigue and distraction detection technologies, which we know saves lives,” Shearer said.
“The benefit of the good practice guidance is it includes sample templates from transport companies using the technology, meaning they have been tested in the real world.
“We can continue to learn a lot about fatigue management from this technology as we get better at identifying and working with drivers to address the signs and cause of fatigue.”