The Australian Trucking Association wants electronic stability control (ESC) technology on all dangerous goods transporters.

The industry body says a push for the enhanced safety equipment in New South Wales should be taken to the national stage.

The call follows a decision earlier this year, when the NSW Environmental Protection Agency Hazardous Incidents and Environmental Health department enforced a new level of safety on trucks made after July 1, saying any that did not have ESC installed would be banned from operating.

“What we would have liked to have seen is a more national approach taken rather than just in NSW. We want to see this rolled out across Australia,” ATA CEO Stuart St Clair told ABC Radio this week.

In New South Wales, the improvement will apply to all tank trailers over 4.5 tonnes; including semi-trailers, B-double and dog trailers.

The state-level change was recommended by several industry bodies and representatives, including ATA chair David Simon.

“In my view, it would not be necessary to impose this requirement on all vehicles carrying dangerous goods. It should not, for example, apply to trucks carrying domestic cleaning products in retail packaging as part of a larger load," Mr Simon said at the 2013 Technical Maintenance Conference.

“We should, however, urgently look at applying it to trucks carrying bulk loads of flammable or combustible liquids, explosives and radioactive substances.”