On 1 February 2010, the  new nationally consistent Heavy Vehicle Speeding Compliance laws (HVSC) come into effect in Australia. The aim of the new laws is to reduce heavy vehicle speeding to make the roads safer for everyone. The new laws will apply to you if you use, operate or manage heavy vehicles (including buses) with a gross vehicle mass of more than 4.5 tonnes. The new laws don’t change the speed rules that apply to drivers, they just increase the responsibility of everyone involved in the transport of goods and passengers to ensure they do all they can to prevent speeding. The new laws:

• require those that use, operate or manage the transport of goods or passengers to implement speed management systems to ensure the safety of drivers and all other road users
• require you to monitor and review speed compliance on a regular basis to ensure that drivers do not speed and that your business practices do not encourage speeding
• require you take reasonable steps to ensure those you do business with are aware of their responsibilities under the new speed laws.

Offences under the new laws are classified according to the level of risk. The greater the risk to safe road use caused by the offence, the greater the penalty. Penalties will range from an infringement notice to court imposed penalties. If you would like to receive an information kit outlining the changes to the Speed laws please send an e-mail with “Information Kit” in the subject line to [email protected].