GPS Tracking Devices Enhance Road Safety By Limiting Dangerous Practises

GPS tracking devices are being used to monitor driver behaviour following complaints in connection with illegal working hours, noise and speeding. Truck drivers in Queensland, Australia are facing a crackdown by employers and also by authorities in the area. Local bus drivers are complaining that they are being unfairly targeted, and that dangerous practices become more likely as a result of pressure from employers as well as low rates of pay.

The Transport Workers Union there maintains that the tendering process is to blame, causing the cheapest person to win a contract without any check on the hours worked and pressurizing drivers into working illegal hours.

Queensland Transport has started carrying out regular spot checks at two sites in North Brisbane. The biggest sub-contractor on the project already requires drivers to produce proof that their licenses are genuine, but now has been sending text messages warning drivers that they will be sacked if GPS tracking shows them speeding.

Truck drivers say the inspections began after a CB radio channel revealed that one of the drivers working on the Airport Link tunnel had described almost causing a crash by falling asleep at the wheel following a stint of working four back-back 12-hour shifts.