Widow Delphine Mugridge’s petition for stricter heavy vehicle licensing leads to new laws

Delphine Mugridge has not stopped fighting to save lives in honour of her husband since he was killed in a truck crash. Today, she finally succeeded.

The grieving wife of a truckie killed in a horror smash on the Eyre Highway has achieved her goal of introducing stricter licensing regulations for Australia’s deadliest industry in a nationwide first.

The “life-changing” new laws will require South Australian drivers to require more experience before obtaining a heavy vehicle licence as part of two state-based initiatives introduced on Thursday.

The reforms are in response to a petition backed by more than 19,600 people started by Delphine Mugridge, 74, after losing her soulmate Neville, 77, in a two-truck crash earlier this year.

Delphine with late husband, truck driver Neville Mugridge. Picture: Supplied

“I want everyone to be able to go home to their families every time they’ve finished a shift, and for other wives to never have to go through what I’ve been through,” she said.

“(Neville) would be shocked, but he’d be proud that he actually changed the law a little bit.”

Since his passing in April, she has been dedicated to fighting for stricter regulations in Australia’s trucking industry to ensure Neville’s “totally avoidable” death was not in vain.

Widow Delphine Mugridge at home in Smithfield, who lost her husband Neville in a truck crash. Picture: Matt Loxton

Under the changes, the state government will establish an ongoing Multi-Combination (MC) Licence Program for drivers to obtain a licence allowing them to drive all heavy vehicles.

Drivers will need to apply for the program with support of their employer, and complete a competency-based training course before logging a minimum number of hours and learning components with a qualified supervisor.

Heavy Rigid (a vehicle with three or more axles weighing more than 8 tonnes) licence holders will be required to complete a minimum of 60 hours of logged supervised driving and additional learning while those with an existing licence will need to complete at least 50 hours.

Furthermore, overseas heavy vehicle driving experience will no longer be recognised for those pursuing an MC licence, with the exception of New Zealand.

Drivers from overseas countries will be required to hold a South Australian HR or Heavy Combination (trucks weighing more than 9 tonnes) licence for a minimum of 12 months, or complete the MC Licence Program before obtaining a MC licence.

Delphine Mugridge presenting her petition backed by more than 19,000 South Australians to Transport Minister Tom Koutsantonis. Picture: Talara McHugh

“This is a critical step in ensuring that those behind the wheel of the heaviest and most complex vehicles on the roads have the necessary training and experience to drive them safely,” Transport Minister Tom Koutsantonis said.

“We owe it to families like the Mugridges and to all road users to make our roads as safe as possible.

“(Delphine) is a hero. The work she has done will change the way we do licensing in this country and it will save lives.”

Mr Koutsantonis hoped the change would pave the way for the rest of the country to follow suit.

“I’m urging other state and territory ministers to follow South Australia’s lead. The power of the argument I believe will carry the day.”

The state-based licensing measures will take effect in late February 2025.