“It’s an easy qualification because all you have to do is pay about $1000 for five hours of your time.”
Truck drivers are getting licences with only a few hours of experience behind the wheel of a heavy vehicle, prompting the Andrews government to consider a dramatic shake-up in a bid to improve road safety.
Crash investigators at the scene the day after four police were struck and killed by a truck on the Eastern Freeway.Under the current system, anyone who has an Australian car licence for two years can upgrade to drive a loaded heavy rigid truck, which can weigh up to 22.5 tonnes, after only a few hours of training. Within a year they would then be eligible to drive a loaded semi-trailer, which can weigh up to 42.5 tonnes, if they passed another quick test.
Figures from the federal department of transport show in the 12 months to December last year, 188 people died from 173 fatal crashes involving heavy vehicle trucks – an increase of more than 27 per cent from the year before. The review is expected to propose a mandated training system, lasting at least five days, that would involve at least 66 hours of teaching before a driver could be licensed.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Porsche driver's home vandalised overnight | Sky News AustraliaVandals have spray painted the word 'DIE' on the home of a driver involved in a truck crash that killed four Victorian police officers.\n\nPolice say Richard Pusey's Fitzroy home was attacked around 4 o'clock on Saturday morning.\n\nThe 41-year-old is facing nine charges after allegedly filming and fleeing the scene of a truck crash at Melbourne's Eastern Freeway.\n\nConstable Josh Prestney, Leading Senior Constable Lynette Taylor, Constable Glen Humphris and Senior Constable Kevin King lost their lives in the incident.\n\nImage: News Corp Australia
Read more »
Drivers who like to speed emerge during coronavirus pandemicPolice who have seen a major spike in the number of people committing speeding offences since the start of the coronavirus pandemi in Queensland.
Read more »
A fascinating test is looming for the Australian publicVoters have trusted the Government's response to the coronavirus so far. But when it comes to the recovery process, one question stands out.
Read more »
Toy sees 92 per cent sales spike in one dayWith most of the country stuck at home for the foreseeable future it seems many of us are turning to our childhood for inspiration on how to pass the time at home.
Read more »
The 'cytokine storm': What's behind the COVID-19 'second-week crash'?In some cases of COVID-19, it may be the body's response to the virus, rather than the virus itself, that ultimately causes harm.
Read more »
'The car was in the air': Investigations underway into serious three-vehicle crash in AdelaideInvestigations are underway into a serious crash that took place at Urrbrae, south of Adelaide, on Saturday afternoon.
Read more »