As of July 1, 2012, the federal government is putting in place the Road Safety Remuneration Tribunal, with the power to set pay and pay-related conditions for truck drivers.

In a bill passed in the Senate on Tuesday night, the pay and conditions set by the tribunal will reduce the economic incentives for drivers to make unfair and unrealistic deadlines, cut corners on safety and maintenance, or take illicit substances to keep them awake to get to destinations on time.

Employment and Workplace Relations Minister Bill Shorten said about 250 people were killed and more than 1000 suffered serious injuries on Australian roads each year in accidents involving trucks.

“Road accidents involving heavy vehicles cost our economy an estimated $2.7 billion annually, however, we cannot begin to measure the painful cost carried by the victims’ loved ones,” Shorten said.

Shorten thanked the Safe Rates Advisory Group for its contributions during the development of the Road Safety Remuneration Bill, as well as the state governments, employee and employer organisations and individuals involved in the consultative process.

This article first appeared in ILN's sister publication ConstructionIndustryNews.net.