The National Transport Commission (NTC) recently launched a public consultation on new health screening options for commercial vehicle drivers, following rising concerns about undiagnosed conditions contributing to road crashes.
The paper was initiated at the request of Australia’s transport and infrastructure ministers and explores ways to improve the early detection and management of health conditions that impact driver safety.
- Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter to receive the latest news and classifieds from Australasia’s bus and coach industry
- Don’t miss a second and subscribe to our monthly ABC magazine
The NTC’s discussion paper focuses on three high-risk conditions: cardiovascular disease, diabetes and sleep disorders.
Now, the NTC is now urging the heavy vehicle and transport industry, governments, regulators, unions and medical professionals to have their say, with public consultation open until May 9 2025.
The Bus Industry Confederation (BIC) is currently in the process of putting together a consolidated industry response and are gauging member interest in hosting a virtual roundtable discussion to allow its members to contribute.
“The bus industry already medically screens drivers in line with the relevant state drivers authority guidelines. However, the paper proposes even more stringent and, at times, invasive testing which will be expanded to all commercial drivers,” a BIC statement reads.
“In the pre-consultation phase, the BIC and APTIA flagged the issues with the NTC, including the ability of the medical system to handle the changes, bearing in mind the struggles that our operators have in accessing relevant medical expertise (especially in regional and rural areas), along with the risk to attraction, recruitment and retention of drivers.”
BIC is urging members who want to contribute to get in touch and let them know if you’d be interested in attending or feel free to contribute as you see fit.
Read more:
- Busways appoints new CEO
- Free bus service now connecting to Perth Airport Line
- Improved bus services bound for Adelaide’s north
- Volvo Bus appoints new sales team member
- Deliveries enjoy sustained success in 2024