My Transport Minute last week on the three-year manslaughter sentence for a truck owner causing the death of a road worker was a hot topic in the industry and media. Mike Hosking on Newstalk ZB wanted to talk about my call for NZTA needing more teeth and the ability to impound a truck if the owner is flagrantly violating the law.

Most of the anger was understandably pointed towards the guilty operator, with many calling for stronger sentences to serve as a deterrent.

But punishing those who break the rules is only one part of the puzzle – deterrents don’t work for the “it’ll never happen to me” crowd.

There is another critical piece to making road transport safer.

Freight owners have an important role to play in making sure that they are paying transport operators  a fair market rate that covers:

1. the cost of running the truck and meeting compliance;

2. a good wage for the driver that reflects their expertise and experience;

3. the ability to invest in a replacement truck at end of life;

4. property to house the truck when not operating

How to do this? 

Test the market – check the rates with 2 or 3 reputable transport operators, and that will give a good benchmark. Pay materially below these rates and chances are you’re paying for an unsafe vehicle to be on the road, and are part of the problem.

NRC is committed to driving for these improvements. The vast majority of transport operators are professional, compliant and safe operators. They deserve a level playing field.

Justin Tighe-Umbers, Chief Executive, National Road Carriers Assn