Green light for log truck safety initiative

Minister for Primary Industries, Katrina Hodgkinson, today launched a new 1800 LOGHAUL number that will drive improvements in log truck driver safety and behaviour.
The 1800 LOGHAUL number – 1800 5644285 – was developed jointly by Forests NSW and the Forest Industry Council.
“This number will allow other road users to phone a call centre with compliments or complaints about log truck activity,” Minister Hodgkinson said.
“It’s particularly important at this time of year, leading up to school holidays, when more drivers are travelling on highways.
“We are inviting members of the public to call in if they see good or bad behaviour or any safety issues with the truck or load, that they want to report.”
Each log truck operated by contractors to Forests NSW will have a sign bearing the 1800 telephone number as well as an individual truck identification number.
The program will begin in the Tumut region and then roll out across other Forests NSW areas.
“Loghaul will gather data on driver behaviour and highlight positive driving as well as other safety areas that are causing concern to the public. Forests NSW is committed to improving all aspects of safety, and log truck driver behaviour is part of that process,” Ms Hodgkinson said.
Contractors will conduct investigations into all complaints and use the outcomes to improve safety across their fleets.
Calls from the public will go to an independent call centre where the date, time, location and incident details will be recorded, along with caller details and truck identification number. The details of callers will be kept confidential.
Contractors will then be able to provide feedback to callers, if requested, as to the steps that have been taken to prevent the reoccurrence of the issue that is raised.
“The final measure of success will be the reduction in vehicle accidents and an improved public perception of the industry,” Ms Hodgkinson said.