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In Sydney, truck drivers are expressing frustration over NHVR compliance officers conducting logbook checks during their rest breaks. Rob Nepia, an interstate driver, captured an incident at BP Eastern Creek where officers were seen examining drivers' work diaries. This location along the M7 motorway, 40km west of Sydney CBD, is a popular rest spot rarely disturbed by such checks. Nepia criticizes the officers for what he sees as targeting minor clerical errors in logbooks, arguing that these do not impact current driver safety. He feels these checks, which count as work, unfairly extend their required rest period and deter drivers from using certain rest areas. While Nepia understands the need for regulation and is open to warnings for diary mistakes, he believes fines for minor errors are unjust. Visy, an Australian company, is making strides to diversify the trucking industry, traditionally male-dominated, by introducing a Female Driver Program aimed at training women with no previous experience in transport. In 2023, the program trained seven women over eight weeks, providing them with heavy rigid licenses and practical experience. The training, which included both theoretical knowledge and hands-on driving, took place at Visy's Shepparton center and involved the Driver Education Centre of Australia. Participants are supported for 12 months and have the chance to further upgrade their licenses. Visy, having run a similar program in 2021, plans to continue this initiative as a key strategy for driver recruitment and is currently hiring in various Australian locations. Rod Hannifey, an experienced truck driver from New South Wales, is advocating for a change in state regulations that affect truck drivers over the age of 70. He presented his concerns to a state parliamentary inquiry, emphasizing the cumbersome process older drivers face to retain their Multi-Combination (MC) licence. Drivers over 70 must pass an annual medical exam and provide a B-double truck for a yearly test, all at their own expense, to maintain this licence. Hannifey, who is 66, points out that these requirements are costly and contribute to the loss of veteran drivers, exacerbating the current driver shortage. He also criticizes the heavy fines for minor clerical errors that do not impact road safety. A decade ago, car driver testing regulations were eased for older drivers, but no such changes have been made for heavy vehicle drivers. Hannifey urges a review and more fair treatment for older truck drivers, suggesting that heavy vehicle competency-based assessors be allowed to participate in the assessment process to ease the burden on this skilled and experienced segment of the workforce. Michael Turner, a truck driver, expressed gratitude towards fellow truckers who assisted him when he became stranded 46km from Norseman, Western Australia. Turner was driving a rental truck back to Adelaide with a load of timber when he ran out of fuel due to a faulty fuel gauge that falsely indicated a quarter tank remained. He safely maneuvered the heavy 100-tonne truck off the road. Efforts to get assistance via UHF radio and a roadside company were fruitless, with the company asking for $3,000 without offering fuel. Turner then turned to Facebook groups for truckers, where he received an overwhelming response, with one driver just 48km away. As help arrived, so did a Norseman towing company with fuel, organized by Turner's employer, Fennell Forestry. After refueling, he continued his journey, highlighting the supportive trucking community and his own commitment to always lending a hand. Chris Scullin, a truck driver who miraculously survived a severe crash, personally thanked the first responders who extricated him from his vehicle after a complex four-hour rescue operation. The accident occurred on the Newell Highway at Bidden over two years ago, leaving Scullin in a coma for nine days and with lasting injuries including a shattered face, a broken arm, and a brain injury. Geoff Kiehne, a seasoned paramedic and rescue operator, described the rescue as particularly challenging due to the heavy vehicles involved. Scullin's visit to the first responders was a rare and heartfelt gesture, acknowledging their life-saving efforts. Additionally, the accident led to an unexpected benefit; during his recovery, doctors discovered and treated a previously undetected cancer, which might have otherwise been fatal.