The National Transport Commission should change a draft amendment to the heavy vehicle standards that would require all trailer safety equipment to be connected to its hauling vehicle – even if it cannot be connected.

The consultation draft of amendments to the Heavy Vehicle (Vehicle Standards) National Regulation 2018 proposes to require safety equipment to be in working order and connected.

The ATA’s submission on the draft supports the intent of the amendment. It points out, however, that it needs to be rewritten to cover cases where:

• a prime mover does not have a compatible connector, or
• a trailer cannot be connected because of its placement in a multi-combination vehicle.