15/06/2026
I’ve been reading about the upcoming NHVR and Heavy Vehicle National Law changes, including increased penalties and tougher enforcement in some areas, and to be honest, it worries me.
Don’t get me wrong. We all want safe roads. Nobody wants fatigued drivers or unsafe trucks out there. But I can’t help but wonder whether increasing fines is really the answer.
Most truck drivers I know aren’t deliberately breaking the rules. They’re hardworking men and women trying to keep Australia moving while dealing with traffic, weather, breakdowns, loading delays, road closures and all the other unforeseen circumstances that come with life on the road.
Human error happens. We’re not robots.
A simple mistake in a work diary, a misunderstanding, or an honest error could end up costing a driver a huge chunk of their weekly wage. For many drivers, one fine can wipe out most of what they earned that week.
The question I keep asking is this: how does a bigger fine actually reduce fatigue? How does taking more money from drivers make them safer?
Sometimes it feels like we’re being punished instead of supported.
The transport industry is already struggling to attract new drivers. Young people look at the long hours, the time away from family, the increasing compliance requirements and the growing financial risks, and then we wonder why there’s a driver shortage.
Without trucks, Australia stops. Yet it often feels like the people carrying this country on their backs are the ones facing more pressure every year.
I’d love to hear from other drivers.
Do you think tougher fines will improve safety, or do you think there needs to be a better balance between enforcement, education and supporting the industry?
👇 Let me know your thoughts.
