Transport ministers meet on driver issues

South Australia will raise driver competency standards and license compliance at a meeting of transport ministers following a shocking freeway crash in Adelaide.

SA Transport Minister Tom Koutsantonis said compliance with licensing and other driver standards is vital to enhance safety on the nation’s roads.

“We are determined to ensure driver competency standards are implemented as a matter of urgency,” he said ahead of the meeting in Melbourne on Friday.

“These are matters that need to be raised at a national-scale, to ensure when heavy vehicles are crossing borders safety compliance remains consistent,” he said.

“We need to be doing everything we can to ensure South Australians feel safe on our roads.”

The transport minister’s comments followed last month’s crash at the base of the South Eastern Freeway when an out-of-control truck collided with several cars at a major intersection, injuring nine people.

The Queensland truck driver was later charged with a string of offences including allegations he was unlicensed.

Koutsantonis also met with freight industry representatives earlier this week to discuss issues related to the crash.

The meeting canvassed wide-ranging measures to improve freeway safety including education programs and more appropriate signage.

with news from AAP