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Cootes tankers pass muster after post-rollover checks

Company continues to be a RMS poster-boy for rehabilitation

 

In a silver lining after a truck rollover involving subsidiary Cootes, parent firm McAleese has seen road authorities give 16 vehicles the all-clear.

McAleese acted quickly after a Cootes gas tanker came to grief last week, badly injuring a female motorist, offering 15 other Cootes trucks for safety inspections late last week.

A New South Wales Police and Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) survey passed the fleet, including the crashed truck, as fit.

Roads and Maritime director of safety and compliance Peter Wells says the joint traffic taskforce rigorously inspected 16 vehicle units, after one of the company’s trucks was involved in an accident last week, and all passed with no defects.

“Cootes has been under examination by the taskforce since the fatal crash in Mona Vale in October 2013 and the 100 per cent compliance result of these units shows our stringent regime is working,” Wells says.

“A team of investigators has been working closely with Cootes to ensure the company complies with strict business processes and mechanical regimes, which has resulted in a significant improvement and upgrade in Cootes’ vehicle fleet.

“It is important and pleasing to be able to assure the community that this compliance process is effective and these vehicles are safe to operate on our roads.

“NSW has the toughest compliance and enforcement regime in Australia and we support industry efforts to ensure this critical industry operates safely and legally.”

Police acting assistant commissioner Stuart Smith of Traffic and Highway Patrol Command says the crash investigation continues and the inspections were necessary to ensure road safety.

“The strength of the joint taskforce is its ability to mobilise and respond immediately to crashes to ensure heavy vehicles are compliant and safe,” Smith adds.  

“There has been a 14 per cent reduction in heavy vehicle fatal crashes and a 24 per cent reduction in related deaths since 2012, which can be attributed in part to the joint enforcement programs.

“The joint traffic taskforce will continue to promote safety by ensuring heavy vehicle drivers and operators are observing road traffic law.”

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