North Island livestock transport companies started a trial in early 2022 which saw them ditch the old-style log book, drivers use a fatigue-testing app called Alertmeter and changing break requirements. Photo: 123RF
A trial developed by livestock truck companies and transport officials away from "stringent requirements" for drivers could be extended across the country, if successful.
Heavy truck drivers usually had to write their hours in log books, have a 30-minute break every 5.5 hours, and work no more than 13 hours a day.
But some companies said the rules caused stress, unwanted delays in the farming supply chain and sometimes conflicted with animal welfare protections.
After several years of industry push-back, in a bid to make change, a group of North Island livestock transport companies started a trial in early 2022, which saw them ditch the old-style log book, drivers use a fatigue-testing app called Alertmeter and changing break requirements.
It was granted permission to do so from the Transport Agency Waka Kotahi.
The trial has been extended - and Waka Kotahi said it could be applied nationwide, if successful.
Ana Ward of CR Grace in Havelock North - one of the companies in the trial - said it's allowed drivers to switch the 30-minute mandated breaks to multiple 10-minute ones, which eased the pressure on drivers.
She said the use of the application was also a game-changer.
"We have gone through and thrown out the log block, with permission from NZTA, and we've just recently had our trial extended for the next three years, which is super exciting.
"So we're relying on the electronic log book and the drivers have to complete a cognitive test on an app which determines whether they are fit to drive."
Ward said with the strict log book and break requirements, drivers were often left with difficult decisions to make about meeting deadlines or prioritising animal welfare - so the trial was improving driver well-being.
"We're using the technology to prove that that driver is safe behind the wheel, that has also had a huge effect on their stress levels throughout the day, where they are not left stranded on the side of the road knowing they're going to be late."
Ward said the logging industry wanted to join the trial too, which she believed would add clout to their case that cognitive fatigue management was the way forward.
A spokesperson for the New Zealand Transport Agency, Waka Kotahi, said it was aware that driver health and wellness, personal circumstances and stress affected a worker's performance.
"We also know that the stringent requirements of worktime create significant operational challenges for parts of the sector," it said in a statement.
"At its heart, [the trial] is about engaging operators to provide the right environment and support to their drivers to manage fatigue in a holistic sense, whilst providing appropriate checks and balances to ensure this is happening rather than just relying on drivers adhering to prescriptive worktime requirements."
It said while the Log Transport Safety Council was not part of the current trial, it expressed an interest as they faced "similar fatigue and operational challenges."
It said if successful, the trial could be extended.
"Due to the success to date, it is proposed to extend the trial to livestock operators throughout the country," it said.
"The current trial has been going for 18 months and is expected to continue for some time to establish clear evidence that there are improved outcomes for drivers and operators, and safety improvements for the wider road using community."
