Advancing Road Safety in accordance with the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL)

Driver fatigue is a leading cause of heavy vehicle driver fatalities in Australia, accounting for approximately 60% of such deaths in 2020.  To combat this issue, the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) enforces regulations on shift lengths and mandatory rest periods to ensure driver well-being and public safety.

Client Overview

A prominent Australian utility company, managing an extensive fleet of heavy vehicles, recognised the critical need to enhance compliance with HVNL regulations. The company sought a solution to monitor and manage driver work and rest schedules in real-time, thereby reducing the risk of fatigue-related incidents.

Challenges

The utility faced several challenges:

• Regulatory Compliance: Ensuring adherence to HVNL requirements for driver work and rest periods.
• Driver Monitoring: Accurately tracking driver hours, breaks, and rest intervals across a large fleet.
• Licensing Verification: Confirming that drivers possess the necessary licenses for operating specific heavy vehicles.

Solution Implemented

To address these challenges, the utility partnered with finao to implement a comprehensive mobile application designed to:

• Record Work and Rest Periods: Drivers can log start and end times, breaks, and rest intervals directly into the app.
• Generate Shift Summaries: The app compiles data into detailed reports, tracking each driver's work and rest cycles over a seven-day period.
• Ensure Licensing Compliance: When specialised vehicles are required, the app verifies that only drivers who have met HVNL rest criteria and hold the appropriate licenses can operate them.

Outcomes

The implementation of finao's mobile application yielded significant benefits:

• Enhanced Compliance: The utility achieved consistent adherence to HVNL regulations, promoting driver well-being and public safety.
• Improved Monitoring: Real-time tracking of driver hours and rest periods allowed for proactive management of fatigue risks.
• Operational Efficiency: Streamlined processes for verifying driver eligibility and licensing reduced administrative burdens.

Conclusion

By leveraging finao's tailored mobile application, the utility effectively addressed the critical issue of driver fatigue, aligning with national road safety objectives and fostering safer journeys for all.