Heavy vehicle regulator encourages truckies to make brake safety top priority on South Eastern Freeway

Jan 16th 2026 | Stephen Kariahe

Heavy vehicle regulator encourages truckies to make brake safety top priority on South Eastern Freeway

Truckies heading down South Australia’s South Eastern Freeway should treat brake condition as priority number one. The NHVR is urging operators to heed warning signals, select the right gear early and confirm braking systems are correctly adjusted before beginning the long descent — advice echoed across the transport industry.

Key takeaways

Brakes first: meticulous maintenance and correct adjustment remain an industry expectation on steep grades.
Load matters: mass and restraint arrangements must suit a demanding, sustained descent.
Heed warnings: advisory information exists because the gradient continues through a major intersection and into suburbia.
Learn from peers: a fresh educational video shares industry insights gathered by the National Truck Accident Research Centre.

NHVR encourages truckies to focus on brake safety

The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) is encouraging truckies to focus on safety and pay attention to warning signals when driving down long, steep slopes on the South Eastern (SE) Freeway in South Australia.

This comes after the launch of a new safety video, created in collaboration with NTI, SARTA and insights from the National Truck Accident Research Centre, which seeks to educate heavy vehicle drivers about the road and highlights essential procedures.

Why braking systems deserve extra attention

“A well-functioning braking system is crucial, particularly on long, steep descents like the SE Freeway, which continues downhill through a major intersection and into an urban area,” NHVR Director of Southern Region Paul Simionato said.

“Operators should ensure their vehicles’ braking systems are meticulously maintained and adjust vehicle loads appropriately for this challenging route.”

What the industry video covers

Footage and expert commentary walk transport crews through each stage of the run, drawing on crash data plus hard-won industry experience to explain what typically goes wrong — and how to prevent repeat events. Topics include:

Pre-descent checks covering brake adjustment, air supply and engine retardation capability
Choosing a suitable gear before gravity takes hold
Recognising overheating and fade, a hazard industry trainers flag repeatedly
Restraint and mass management for a fully laden combination

Practical steps for operators and fleet managers

Compliance is never a paperwork exercise. It is an industry discipline built on documented systems, verification and refresher training. Consider the following actions:

Schedule brake testing and reporting at frequencies that exceed minimum industry benchmarks.
Formalise workshop practice using our Lathe (On Vehicle Brake) SOP template where machining forms part of your maintenance program.
Prepare responders with a Make Safe (Vehicle Impact) SWMS for post-incident recovery tasks.
Clarify supply chain duties through our Chain of Responsibility (CoR) Module, which explains how consignors, packers, loaders and schedulers share accountability right across the industry.
Centralise inspections, corrective actions and evidence inside digital safety software, keeping industry audits straightforward.

Chain of Responsibility reaches beyond the cab

Under the Heavy Vehicle National Law, primary duty sits with every party influencing transport tasks. Each industry participant who loads, schedules, consigns or services a truck carries obligations that regulators actively enforce. Guidance is published by the NHVR and Safe Work Australia.

Heavy vehicle regulator encourages truckies to make brake safety top priority on South Eastern Freeway