Media statement | 15 August 2005

New rule targeting commercial driver fatigue released for consultation

Land Transport New Zealand is calling for submissions on a draft rule covering legal requirements for managing commercial driver fatigue through work time limits, logbook recording and approved fatigue management schemes.

The draft Land Transport Rule: Work Time and Logbooks aims to establish a more consistent framework for managing driver fatigue in the commercial and heavy transport sector.

The rule, now available for public consultation, is based on the work time (total hours worked including 'on-duty' time and driving hours) and logbook requirements set out in the Land Transport Amendment Act 2005.

The proposed rule will apply to anyone legally required to manage driving hours - including transport service operators, drivers and dispatchers, managers or principals of firms that employ drivers, as well as logistics brokers who arrange transport contracts and firms that have an established contractual arrangement with owner-drivers.

Specific proposals include revised work time requirements (and any variation to these) and criteria for approving fatigue management schemes. A simplified logbook format is also proposed.

Submissions on the rule close on Friday 7 October. For more information or to make an online submission visit http://www.landtransport.govt.nz/consultation/work-time/, or ring the Land Transport NZ helpdesk on 0800 699 000 for a consultation pack.

For further information:

Andy Knackstedt
Land Transport NZ Media Manager
(04) 931-8822 or 0212 763 222