Heavy Vehicle Defects Surge as NHVR Warns Drivers Ahead of Busy Snow Season

Safety Starts Before the Engine Does – Check It, Fix It, Drive Safe.

Heavy vehicle operators travelling to New South Wales’ alpine regions this winter are being urged to ensure their vehicles are roadworthy after new figures revealed a sharp rise in serious mechanical defects detected during roadside inspections.

The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) has issued the warning as thousands of trucks, buses and coaches prepare to travel through the state’s snowfields during the peak winter season. The regulator says a worrying increase in major vehicle defects highlights the importance of regular maintenance, particularly as heavy vehicles encounter challenging alpine conditions.

Data collected by the NHVR shows the number of individual defects identified during winter enforcement operations in the NSW ski field region increased from 1,561 in winter 2024 to 1,682 in winter 2025.

More concerning was the dramatic rise in major defects, which jumped from 107 to 195 over the same period—an increase of approximately 82 per cent.

Brake, wheel and tyre faults accounted for many of the serious defects detected, raising concerns that routine maintenance is being overlooked by some operators travelling through the alpine regions.

The NHVR conducts targeted safety and compliance operations across New South Wales’ snowfields between June and August each year. Early figures suggest the trend is continuing, with 650 individual defects already recorded during June 2026 alone.

Winter Conditions Demand Extra Care

NHVR Chief Operations Officer Paul Salvati said the statistics were particularly concerning given the increased volume of heavy vehicles transporting passengers and freight to popular snow destinations throughout winter.

He said buses and coaches operating under the Heavy Vehicle National Law carried an even greater responsibility due to the number of passengers they transported.

“Any injury or loss of life is tragic, but when buses are involved in road accidents, the potential for injury or loss of life is significantly increased,” Mr Salvati said.

While established coach operators generally have comprehensive safety systems in place, Mr Salvati warned that seasonal and smaller operators may not fully understand their obligations under the Heavy Vehicle National Law.

He reminded drivers that coach operators must comply with the same fatigue management requirements as all heavy vehicle drivers, including mandatory work and rest hours and the use of work diaries where required.

Alpine Weather Can Change Without Warning

Although snowfall has been slower than usual at the beginning of this year’s season, the NHVR expects traffic volumes to increase significantly as forecast heavier snow arrives.

Mr Salvati said alpine conditions could deteriorate rapidly, with rain, sleet, black ice and snow creating hazardous driving conditions for heavy vehicles.

“As soon as significant snowfall is recorded on the ski fields, heavy vehicle drivers will be sharing the roads with many more light vehicles as people travel to their snow holiday destinations,” he said.

He urged drivers to remain patient, reduce speed, drive to the prevailing conditions and allow greater stopping distances.

Winter weather places additional stress on critical vehicle components, particularly brakes, wheel bearings and tyres, making pre-trip inspections even more important before commencing each journey.

Daily Vehicle Checks Save Lives

The NHVR is encouraging every heavy vehicle operator to complete a comprehensive vehicle inspection before setting off.

Mr Salvati said a few minutes spent checking the condition of a vehicle could prevent serious crashes and potentially save lives.

“Daily vehicle checks are imperative prior to commencing your journey and failing to do so could very well change the outcome of your life and other road users,” he said.

The regulator provides operators with a daily vehicle inspection checklist through its website to assist drivers in identifying mechanical issues before they become dangerous.

Joint Safety Operations Continue

Throughout winter, NHVR Safety and Compliance officers conduct roadside inspections across alpine regions alongside NSW Police, National Parks authorities and other government agencies.

These operations focus on vehicle roadworthiness, fatigue compliance, heavy vehicle safety and educating operators about their legal responsibilities while travelling through challenging alpine environments.

With visitor numbers expected to climb as snowfall increases, the NHVR is reminding every heavy vehicle operator that thorough maintenance, careful planning and safe driving practices remain the best defence against winter road crashes.