The recent decision by the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) to abolish state-based trucking regulations and set up a national governing body for road transport has merit, according to Isuzu Australia Limited (IAL) Director and Chief Operating Officer, Phil Taylor.
"In a recent estimate by VicRoads, inefficiency in Australia's road network costs local businesses $9.4 billion per annum," Mr Taylor said.
"Most of the inefficiency costs are a direct result of traffic congestion, however, state-based legislation such as fatigue laws also play a large part, as they often cause confusion, productivity loss and unnecessary red tape."
Due to be fully established by 2012, the national governing body will administer Australia's truck inspection standards, safe driving hours, mass limits and registration.
This should move Australia closer to achieving a smooth and seamless national road transport system, which is essential for Australia's future economic growth, according to Mr Taylor.
"The road transport sector is responsible for carrying the bulk of Australian manufactured goods as well as delivery of produce to supermarkets and shops," Mr Taylor said.
"It is in Australia's economic interest to lift transport productivity and ensure that goods are delivered at the lowest cost.
"Currently, an interstate truck driver is required to comply with a different set of regulations in each state jurisdiction they drive through. This has caused confusion within the trucking industry for some time, and leads to extra administration and higher overhead costs," Mr Taylor said.
According to Mr Taylor, the decision by COAG to end the battle between state jurisdictions and introduce a set of unified road transport regulations will not only improve operators' understanding of road laws, compliance and safety issues, but will also increase transport efficiency and productivity.
"The development of national legislation has been a long time coming, and will lead to important advances in safety within the trucking industry," Mr Taylor said.
"Trucking operators will have a clearer understanding of the rules, especially owner drivers, some of whom are perhaps less well resourced than large transport companies.
"And with a national, more consistent framework in place, targeted enforcement by the authorities will be more successful, leading to improved compliance, accreditation and efficiency right across the trucking industry," Mr Taylor added.