May 25th 2026 |
The NHVR encourages drivers to prioritise safety of others during National Road Safety Week
Quick answer: The NHVR encourages drivers to prioritise the safety of others during National Road Safety Week, asking every road user to slow down, stay alert and back each trip with disciplined risk management.
Below, we outline the regulator's message, the human factors behind most collisions, and the practical controls fleets can apply this week and beyond.
Regulator asks every road user to think of others
The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator is encouraging drivers to opt for safer decisions in order to mitigate road trauma throughout Australia during this National Road Safety Week.
NHVR Chief Operations Officer Paul Salvati said this year's Road Safety Week theme – Drive So Others Survive – emphasises that every road user plays a role in minimising accidents on our country's roads.
“Every road user deserves to get home to their family safely, and both heavy vehicle and light vehicle drivers have a role to play to help make this happen,” he said.
“Data shows that human factors are the largest cause of crashes on our roads, with driver distraction, following too closely and speed the top three causes of accidents in this category. If we all think of the impacts our driving could have on others, our roads can be a safer place for everyone.”
Mr. Salvati said it is crucial for all light vehicle drivers, particularly those who are young, to grasp the necessity of safe driving practices around trucks and other large vehicles.
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Human error, not mechanical failure, dominates crash statistics
Distraction, tailgating and excess speed remain the leading contributors to serious collisions, which places practical risk management at the very centre of prevention.
Figures published by the Office of Road Safety and reported widely across the road transport industry point to decision-making, not equipment defects, as the dominant factor. That reality is encouraging for operators, because behaviour can be trained, supervised and measured.
Nine management controls that cut road trauma
- Journey management plans that allow realistic schedules, rest stops and weather contingencies.
- Speed management policies supported by telematics reporting and frank supervisor feedback.
- Distraction management rules covering handheld phones, in-cab screens and voice devices.
- Following-distance management coaching, delivered with real stopping-distance figures for loaded rigs.
- Maintenance management schedules with dated pre-start inspections signed off daily.
- Load management procedures covering restraint, mass limits and dimension checks.
- Chain of Responsibility management duties written down for every party in the supply chain.
- Incident management procedures that capture near misses, not just damage.
- Training management records proving competency for each licence class held.
Our Drivers' Safety Manual template packages these expectations into one document your crews can actually read.
Build road risk into your safety management framework
Road hazards belong inside the wider safety management framework, never in a forgotten folder on a shared drive.
Visible management commitment shows up in budgets, rosters and honest conversations about delivery pressure. Where leaders accept longer lead times, crews stop chasing minutes.
Written management responsibilities remove doubt about who authorises a delayed departure or an unroadworthy unit being parked up.
Site traffic management plans should separate pedestrians from moving plant, mark reversing zones and nominate spotters for blind manoeuvres.
Robust contractor management extends the same expectations to hired transport partners, because a crash involving a subbie still lands on your record.
Sensible workload management protects alertness by matching rosters to realistic hours rather than optimistic customer promises.
An annual management review closes the loop, testing whether controls worked or simply looked good on paper.
Documented management systems aligned with recognised standards such as ISO 45001 give auditors, insurers and clients confidence in your program.
Disciplined records management keeps inductions, licences, inspections and toolbox notes retrievable within minutes, not days. Our safety software solutions make that retrieval straightforward for dispersed teams.
Structured change management matters whenever routes, clients or equipment shift, since new tasks introduce hazards nobody has assessed yet.
Finally, careful management of subcontracted transport partners closes the last gap most audits expose.
Road safety news and industry resources worth sharing
Campaign messaging reaches crews far more effectively when supervisors pair national news bulletins with local examples from their own depot.
Regulator news releases, industry guidance sheets and campaign posters give safety leaders ready-made prompts for toolbox talks.
Subscribe to NHVR news updates, follow reputable industry associations, and share verified reporting instead of social media speculation.
Independent news coverage of fatal collisions can be confronting, so introduce such material thoughtfully and offer support afterwards.
Published industry benchmarks help operators compare incident rates honestly against peers of similar size and task profile.
Peak industry bodies also run free webinars, while regulators publish outcomes from industry consultation on emerging reforms.
An industry-wide lift in behaviour depends on small habits repeated daily: mirrors checked, gaps left, phones stowed.
Sound industry practice now treats road risk as a workplace hazard, assessed with the same rigour as working at height.
Engaged industry stakeholders – schedulers, loaders, consignors and clients – each influence whether a driver arrives home unharmed.
Respected industry leaders set the tone by refusing unrealistic delivery windows and celebrating crews who speak up.
Keeping safety news visible on noticeboards and screens sustains attention long after the campaign closes.
Frequently asked questions
What is this year's Road Safety Week theme?
‘Drive So Others Survive’ reminds every operator that choices behind the wheel affect families, workmates and the wider community.
How can employers demonstrate compliance during the campaign?
Deliver a toolbox talk, review your road risk register, and keep dated records – auditors accept such evidence as proof of compliance. Meeting Chain of Responsibility obligations then becomes routine rather than reactive.
Which documents should fleets review first?
Start with a digital Job Safety Analysis template, your driver handbook and any depot traffic plan.
Where can we get help choosing templates?
Our team answers template questions daily via the SafetyDocs support page.
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