A new law in New South Wales, Australia, could mean jail time for freight receivers who put truckers’ lives at risk by setting unreasonable deadlines for deliveries.

According to The Daily Telegraph, a Sydney newspaper, the laws came about following complaints from truckers that unrealistic delivery deadlines imposed on them by receivers – most of whom are large retailers – were putting them at risk on the road.

The government then implemented laws that would hold the receivers responsible for driver safety. Under the laws, companies and their clients are required to produce fatigue management plans.

Failure to comply with the laws could lead to jail terms of up to five years for employers whose negligence results in a death.

The law, known as the Occupational Health and Safety Amendment (Long Distance Driver Fatigue) Regulation, gives WorkCover – Australia’s version of OSHA – the authority to investigate trip schedules, driver rosters and loading schedules and the impact they have on incidents involving trucks.

The law will go into effect in March 2006.