Major heavy vehicle crashes involving inattentive or distracted drivers fell 32% in the past 12 months, according to the 2026 National Truck Accident Research Centre (NTARC) Major Incident Investigation Report, released Monday.
The report draws on claims data from specialist transport insurer NTI and was produced with the National Road Safety Partnership Program (NRSPP) and the Monash University Accident Research Centre (MUARC).
“In a positive development, the inattention/distraction incident rate is declining – from 25.4 incidents per 10,000 heavy vehicles in 2023 to 17.0 in 2025, a 33.1% decrease,” the report found. “While the overall rate remains a concern, this downward trend may indicate early signs of progress in addressing this key risk area.”
Inattention and distraction remained the leading human factor, accounting for 13.8% of all major incidents in 2025. Last year’s edition put the share at 17.9% for 2024, a 1.6% decrease from 2023.
Other findings point the same way. Major loss claims above $50,000 fell 22.3% in 2025, and human factor-related incidents fell 17.6% to 67.6 per 10,000 heavy vehicles. Fatigue-related incidents dropped 56.9%, from 5.8 to 2.5 per 10,000, while failure-to-give-way incidents fell 60.8% and inappropriate vehicle positioning fell 8.9%.
Nearly two-thirds (63.5%) of inattention and distraction crashes involved a single vehicle. Articulated combinations recorded the highest rate, at 24.2 per 10,000 vehicles, with crashes most common in outer regional areas and major cities. The report linked this to long-haul exposure and, in cities, possibly to environmental distractions, a high density of vulnerable road users and frequent stopping.
NTI transport research manager Adam Gibson said: “The decline in some key human factor risks shows the value of continued focus on these issues, while it remains critical that road safety interventions and initiatives continue to target these hazards, particularly inattention/distraction, given their continued prevalence and potential for severe consequences.”
The picture is less clear in government road-death data, which measures something different from insured major incidents. Federal figures show 213 road deaths involving heavy vehicles in the 12 months to June, 4.9% higher than the previous year. Deaths involving articulated trucks rose 16.0% to 116, while those involving heavy rigid trucks fell 17.7% to 79.
The findings arrive as the amended Heavy Vehicle National Law, in force since Aug. 1, introduces a new “unfit to drive” duty. Drivers must not drive if unfit for any reason, including physical or mental illness, injury, drugs, alcohol or fatigue, according to the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR). The duty applies to all heavy vehicles over 4.5 tonnes, and parties in the chain of responsibility must ensure their business practices do not cause or encourage a driver to operate while unfit. The amended law applies in New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania and the Australian Capital Territory, but not Western Australia or the Northern Territory.
For brokers advising transport clients, the falling claim severity, the stronger regulatory focus on safety systems and the uneven fatality data offer reference points at renewal. NTI says its truck products are accessed through a broker. Last month, it urged operators to check that declared values reflect current freight costs ahead of summer, Insurance Business reported.
NTI chief executive officer Janelle Greene said: “The decrease in heavy vehicle incidents involving inattentive or distracted drivers provides a positive indication that these efforts are making a difference.”
Australian Trucking Association CEO Mathew Munro said the report, which breaks data down by state and territory, was essential for “driving change”. He added: “Developing a strong safety culture right across the industry is critical, and the findings show the importance of continuing the work already being led by industry and government, from tailored education and awareness campaigns to policy and technology innovations.”
NTARC researchers are due to walk through the findings in an online webinar on Tuesday.
