A transport manager was sentenced under the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) for a 2020 crash on Melbourne’s Eastern Freeway that resulted in the death of four police officers. The national operations manager of a transport company received three years’ jail time, over $100,000 in penalties and costs, and a 12-month prohibition from similar roles. This landmark case marks the first time in Australia that an employee has been convicted and sentenced for a category-one offence under HVNL.
The manager was found guilty of numerous fatigue-related breaches spanning over 800 shifts, with evidence of falsified timesheets and senior management approval to evade detection. The sentencing is a warning to industry executives about personal liability, emphasising that the law will be enforced.
The case highlights the shared responsibility for driver fitness and emphasises that managing directors and senior management must actively monitor and ensure compliance with HVNL and company policies. Key takeaways for executives include ensuring policies comply with obligations, proper training for workers, implementing systems to monitor HVNL compliance, responding promptly to breaches, and staying proactive in business activities. The case highlights the need for industry-wide collaboration to prevent such incidents in the future.
Landmark COR Case A Warning To Transport Bosses (hvia.asn.au)