More than 60% of heavy vehicle crashes in Australia are linked to driver behaviour, with distraction now the single largest contributing factor, according to the latest Major Incident Investigation findings from the National Truck Accident Research Centre (NTARC).
In its analysis of the NTARC data, Gallagher highlighted that inattention and distraction accounted for 17.9% of all crashes in the prior year and remained the leading cause over the five-year period from 2019 to 2024.
“Distraction has been steadily increasing since the report's inception. Smartphones, GPS devices and even dashboard technology can divert drivers' attention. This represents a tough challenge, though, because drivers need these tools, but if they're within line of sight, it becomes a risk,” said Andrew Wallace, client manager for marine, transport and logistics at Gallagher.
Inadequate following distance contributed to 9.2% of crashes, while inappropriate speed accounted for 8.6%. The report notes that inappropriate speed is linked to driver judgement in difficult conditions.
“Inappropriate speed crashes aren't about speeding - they often happen at speeds below the limit. These incidents refer to the decisions made by drivers under pressure and adverse road conditions. This shows that training drivers to choose the right speed is critical,” said Adam Gibson, transport research manager at NTI Limited, a co-partner in the NTARC research and report.
The data also shows that in 85.7% of fatal crashes involving heavy vehicles, the heavy vehicle was not at fault. At the same time, 77.2% of distraction-related crashes involved only the heavy vehicle, often due to fatigue or loss of control.
Gallagher highlighted a sharp rise in cargo theft, with claims increasing 98.9% year-on-year. Regional routes present added risks, particularly long-haul corridors where fatigue is more common.
“Routes like New South Wales to Queensland see high claim ratios due to heavy traffic and fruit transport activity. In the Northern Territory, long desert routes amplify risks of fatigue and distraction,” said Jean-Pierre de Pradines, claims manager for national transport at Gallagher.
The report also considered the growing use of technologies such as telematics and driver-assistance systems. While these tools can support safety, they also come with cost and operational challenges. As such, Gibson said technology must be supported by training and engagement: “To meaningfully reduce incidents, businesses must engage their people and foster a strong safety culture. Technology alone is not enough. As human factors remain the biggest challenge, communication, training and engagement can dramatically reduce claims.”
The financial impact of serious crashes is also rising. In 2024, 1,767 major loss claims exceeding $50,000 were recorded, an 8.3% increase on the previous year, as per NTARC.
“Risk management isn't always about big investments - it's about smart decisions. Simple operational changes can reduce loss ratios without extra costs,” de Pradines said.
