NHVR’s SA campaign focuses on driver fatigue

The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) has commenced a comprehensive operation spanning from the Western Australia border to Port Augusta in South Australia, targeting driver fatigue across major freight corridors used by heavy vehicles.

NHVR's SA Campaign Focuses on Driver Fatigue

NHVR Chief Operations Officer Paul Salvati states the main focus of this operation, which will run for a week, is preventing fatigue-related violations among heavy vehicle drivers. Fatigue remains one of the most persistent risks facing national road transport networks, and this campaign reflects growing scrutiny on how operators manage rest breaks and driving hours.

Increased Presence at the WA–SA Border

"The NHVR's Safety and Compliance Officers will have an increased presence at the WA and SA border, ensuring drivers are maintaining accurate work diaries, which are a critical tool in complying with work and rest requirements," Mr Salvati said.

Accurate record-keeping supports safe rostering practices and helps transport businesses demonstrate compliance with national standards for rest and driving hours. For operators reviewing their own systems, SafetyDocs offers a range of fatigue management form templates designed to support consistent, defensible documentation.

Lives Lost on SA and WA Roads This Year

Mr Salvati highlighted significance of the operation, considering unfortunate loss of 35 lives in incidents involving heavy vehicles throughout Australia so far this year, with nine occurring in SA and WA. These figures underscore why fatigue-focused enforcement work continues to expand across state borders, particularly along long-haul routes where extended driving hours increase risk.

Why Fatigue Management Matters for Transport Operators

Fatigue-related incidents remain a leading contributor to serious heavy vehicle crashes, according to national road safety data. Operators managing transport fleets have a duty to ensure drivers are not pressured into unsafe work schedules that compromise alertness behind the wheel.

Businesses looking to strengthen their approach to fatigue risk should consider embedding structured procedures into daily operations. SafetyDocs' Fatigue Management Module provides practical resources for building fatigue awareness into everyday work practices, while the Fatigue Management Policy helps formalise expectations across a workforce.

• Maintain accurate work diaries in line with national work and rest requirements
• Monitor rostering practices to identify fatigue risk before it affects driving performance
• Provide clear procedures so drivers understand reporting obligations when fatigue occurs
• Review compliance resources regularly to align with NHVR enforcement priorities

Related Coverage and Resources

This campaign follows a pattern of enforcement activity highlighted in earlier coverage, including NHVR's extensive operation showing driver fatigue remains a critical issue and NHVR's operation revealing fatigue breaches. Earlier this year, the regulator also issued a direct appeal in NHVR urges truckies to prioritise fatigue management, reinforcing that fatigue oversight remains an ongoing priority rather than a one-off enforcement push.

Operators seeking broader wellbeing support alongside fatigue controls may also find value in reviewing mental health policies and plans, since driver wellbeing and fatigue risk are closely connected.

Read the full story here for further news updates on NHVR compliance services and ongoing enforcement work across Australian transport corridors.