Industry News

‘Data is the new gold for law enforcement’

I foresee 2025 will usher in some long awaited and extensively lobbied changes in several areas. The Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) review has been narrowed down now to a few key points, and I would expect this to be completed and be proclaimed towards mid-year.

Disappointingly for drivers, the key outcomes that we had anticipated never made the final cut. Numerous people have said that my views were too optimistic, and our overlords will never allow such freedoms. Given the proposed increases in penalties and little else, it seems they were correct.

The focus on compliance during the HVNL review has been prominent and many of us have noticed new electronic devices being rolled out across the eastern states.

This sends a clear message that data is the new gold for law enforcement, with ANPR cameras, point-to-point and network camera system will all be gathering data for the back-office enforcement units to collect and store for when needed.

Therefore, the imposition of pain enforcement continues to increase and a proposed $26,600 fine will hurt badly. In addition to the financial penalty, demerit points attached to serious and critical offences will now impact your ability to earn a living.

I have taken several opportunities to speak with authorised officers and government officials about the unfairness of the way laws have been implemented. Basically, their response was: “It’s up to the drivers to control their vehicles and to operate in a safe manner. Your boss may be pushing you, but it’s the driver’s responsibility to comply with the laws and stop covering up the evidence of poor management decisions.”

They are correct in that respect! If we keep doing what we have often done, it should come as no surprise that law enforcement will continue to increase the size of the hammer to hit us with. I am no fan of law enforcement, but if we had no laws, we would have a workplace of total anarchy.

I recall clearly that back in 2005, the 60 Minutes debate in Sydney where many of the industry attendees asked: “How much blood is going to be spilled before the government acts to stop the carnage?”

The surveillance systems are here, and the time is nigh!

Trevor Warner is an interstate truckie and secretary at the Drivers’ Advocate. This story is part of our 2025 New Year Wish Lists feature, in the January 17 issue of Big Rigs.

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