The NHVR has completed a month-long operation surveying and addressing safety concerns for heavy vehicles during grape harvest season.

This operation is being run by NHVR officers across New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia.

Typically running from late January until April in Australia, harvest season is currently hitting its peak, which NHVR COO Paul Salvati says is also the peak time for safety issues.

“Heavy vehicles are currently hitting the road in force as the grape harvest season peaks, however it’s important to remember that safety is always in season,” he says.

“SA alone produces more that 50 per cent of Australia’s wine, and in 2021-2022, the state’s industry produced more than 800,000 tonnes of grapes valued at $622 million.

“This just goes to shows what a major contributor the industry is to the national economy, and with this kind of scale, it’s vital that the transport of these valuable crops is as smooth as fine wine.”

NHVR Safety and Compliance Officers conducted more than 270 heavy vehicle inspections throughout ‘Operation Fortified’, focusing on fatigue management, monitoring and identifying potential grape spillage incidents, and undertaking mechanical inspections to ensure compliance with vehicle standards.

“We know this is busy time of year for the agricultural sector, but we can’t afford to let any lapses in safety spoil what should be a very productive season,” Paul says.

“Some of the primary risks related to grape harvest transportation include driver fatigue, particularly at the end of night shifts or from wait times to either load or offload, in addition to spillage due to overloading.

“Grape spills have a significant impact on the safety of other road users, creating slippery surfaces that can lead to a vehicle losing control and increasing the risk of catastrophic accidents occurring.

“This operation was a crucial step forward in our ongoing efforts to reduce crashes and ensure the safety of everyone on the road.”

This is the fifth time that Operation Fortified has been run by the NHVR, as grape harvest season is often a major time for concern for heavy vehicle safety.

NHVR acting director of Southern region Stephen Bryers says that efforts were focused on strategic locations across the states to offer education to drivers in 88 of the intercepts conducted.

“We detected a non-compliance rate of around 38 per cent during this year’s operation, with the majority of offences either mechanical, fatigue or permit related,” he says.

“This is down from a non-compliance rate of 42.2 per cent in 2023, 59 per cent in 2022, and 61 per cent in 2021 – this is a true testament to industry’s collective efforts in driving continuous improvement, and we are optimistic that non-compliance will only continue to decline.

“We know heavy vehicles play a critical role transporting the harvest, but it’s essential that vehicles are roadworthy, and drivers are fit to operate them safely.

“Every crash, every serious incident, and every spill is avoidable – so please, whether you’re behind the wheel of a heavy vehicle or sharing the road with one, follow the crucial safety measures that will help to prevent tragedy, and instead result in a safe, successful harvest.”