SA Road Offenders Cannot Hide Dangerous Driver Behaviour from Employers Anymore

Soon truck drivers in South Australia may not be able to keep dangerous driving behaviour a secret from their employers, if draft regulations come into effect in the state.

The new draft regulations mean that police will be able to inform transport operators of their drivers’ dangerous behaviour on the road.

According to state transport minister Stephen Mullighan, truck drivers cannot commit offences on SA roads and hide it from their bosses any longer.

Mr Mullighan has explained that the new regulations will close the privacy loopholes that currently exists which stops SA police from informing transport companies when their drivers are caught speeding, driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol or driving while disqualified or unlicensed.

The changes will hopefully provide more incentive for truck drivers to practice safe driving behaviour  on the state’s roads.

Mr Mullighan recently explained:

“At the moment, the regulations under the Motor Vehicles Act preclude South Australian police from disclosing information to heavy vehicle operators and owners for privacy reasons,” he says.

“These draft regulations to the Act will remove that impediment allowing police to notify of serious offences.”

Source: http://www.fullyloaded.com.au

Mr Mullighan warns that the disclosure to employers will be at the discretion of South Australian Police. It is hoped that this will help owners and heavy vehicle operators in the state better control their vehicles and their business. Ultimately the measure is aimed at improving heavy vehicle road safety.

The change was specifically requested by the South Australian Road Transport Association. Mr Mullighan went on to state:

“This measure will give the owners and operators of heavy vehicles greater control and certainty over their businesses, as well as making our roads safer for all South Australians,” he says.

Source: http://www.fullyloaded.com.au

In a statement posted on Fullyloaded.com, SARTA executive director Steve Shearer explained that the change not only made good sense but was a necessary step towards progress.

He said that for example the use of drugs by drivers was a serious offence which the owner of the truck had a right to know about.

Mr Shearer explained:

“The government has accepted that enabling police to tell the owner of a truck about serious on-road behaviour, including drug use for example, is important for the overall road safety benefit of all road users,” he tells the media.

Read more at: http://www.fullyloaded.com.au