States to back new laws on unsafe trucks

Federal and state transport ministers have agreed to fast-track new roadworthiness laws for heavy vehicles.

SA Transport Minister Stephen Mullighan says a meeting of the Transport Infrastructure Council in Sydney on Friday has agreed to strengthen chain of responsibility laws to allow authorities to chase everyone responsible for unsafe vehicles including company directors and chief executives.

"These proposed laws will extend the chain of responsibility to all responsible for the roadworthiness of vehicles and will ensure appropriate penalties are applied," Mr Mullighan said in a statement.

"It will ensure companies are held responsible if they are involved in an incident which they could have taken steps to avoid."

South Australia's concerns over this issue were sparked by a number of incidents involving unsafe vehicles including one on the South Eastern Freeway in August in 2014 when an out-of-control truck ploughed into cars waiting at an intersection, killing two people.

Mr Mullighan said the National Transport Commission would begin drafting the necessary legislation that also has the backing of the SA Road Transport Association.

Executive Director Steve Shearer says the new laws are a critical step in dealing with the minority of operators who fail to take reasonable steps to ensure their trucks are roadworthy.