Knowing how to plan a heavy haulage delivery on public highways is a matter of extensive expertise. As well as keeping cargo and personnel safe, the delivery has to abide by all the relevant Australian road safety laws.

For instance, the delivery must follow the guidelines provided by the road transport departments of both states, if the cargo's journey begin in one state but terminate in another.

These are some of the most typical errors made in heavy haulage and transportation.

H2 Not Following the Set Size Restrictions

Properly packing and loading the cargo is an important part of keeping the vehicles safe on the road.

The laws and regulations for large loads include specific limitations on the weight, length, breadth and height of a load. They also specify what kinds of specialised trucks have to be used to transport the oversized loads.

This is one of the most critical of the common mistakes to avoid making, as improper loading of vehicles can lead to tragic accidents on the roads. 

Failing to Use the Safety Warning Lights

The safety warning lights alert other drivers on the road of the potential hazard of a large load.

Though they are particularly necessary to use at night, it is also important to use the lights during the day as well -- as a large load can pose a risk to other road users at any time of night or day. The safety warning lights help to alert other road users in time, so they can adjust the way they drive to stay safe on the road.

Not Displaying a Sign for an Oversized Load

All oversized loads needs a warning sign to be posted both day and night, to alert the other drivers on the road.

With large wording that is clearly legible from a distance, the sign warns the public that an oversized cargo is on the road, and it tells the drivers what load size they should expect to be sharing the road with.

The oversized load sign is combined with revolving warning lights, to more clearly highlight the sign at night.

Not Having the Proper Pilot Car

The purpose of a pilot vehicle is to help and direct the driver throughout transit, as well as to help the other road users stay safe while they share the road with a massive, oversized cargo.

There are several situations in which an escort vehicle must be deployed.

Though each state follows the same general rationale for how pilot vehicles apply, each state has somewhat different requirements, and your heavy haulage provider will know how the regulations apply to your cargo and delivery.

If your heavy haulage delivery is one that needs the use of a pilot vehicle, failing to do so is considered a serious misconduct, as it can put the public at risk or lead to damage for property or infrastructure.

Choose a Reliable Haulage Provider 

Serious accidents can result from oversized loads that are not following the proper regulations to keep safe while on the roads. An accident during the delivery of a cargo may result in severe or even fatal injuries.

That’s why it’s so important to choose a heavy haulage provider that you can rely on. You’ll be relying on their expert judgement to keep your personnel and cargo safe – as well as protecting your business from any potential repercussions of not following the road safety laws for heavy haulage.

To get started, browse our range of services online or simply get directly in contact with the team at Shamick Transport today.