Authorities seize four Lennons trucks and defect three more as part of investigation into the company
By Brad Gardner | February 24, 2012
The government agency that has launched a chain of responsibility investigation into Lennons Transport Services has seized trucks and grounded three others for major defects.
A spokesperson for the Roads and Maritime Services says officers have removed four vehicles from Lennons for further mechanical examinations in the latest move against the general freight carrier.
Police and RMS officers swarmed Lennons’ Enfield premises without notice earlier this week, allegedly finding evidence of speed tampering and falsified work diary entries.
Lennons drivers were also pulled up for compliance checks, while authorities found some trucks abandoned on the side of the road.
“RMS has issued three red label major grounded defect notices. As investigations are continuing, it would be inappropriate to comment further,” the RMS spokesperson says.
A spokeswoman for NSW Police says officers have finished inspecting trucks and will now shift their attention back to investigating the triple-fatal crash involving a Lennons truck in January.
“We’ve checked all the trucks we wanted to check,” the spokeswoman says.
A Lennons driver pulled over this week was charged with drug possession and for exceeding driving hours, while another was done for defective brakes and not complying with oversize permits.
Police allege they also found a mobile phone in an abandoned company truck instructing the driver not to return to base.
The RMS began a chain of responsibility investigation following the raid. The laws allow authorities to hold the entire supply chain accountable for fatigue, speed, mass, dimension and load restraint offences.
Chain of responsibility is designed to recognise the influence the likes of consignors, consignees, loaders and receivers may have on transport companies and drivers. Officers can search premises, look over records and seize electronic equipment.
The investigation into Lennons is not the company’s first run-in with NSW road authorities.
In September 2008, Zaens Pty Ltd – trading as Lennons Transport Services – was convicted of 14 mass offences and declared a persistent offender by the courts.
“A supervisory intervention order was imposed. The order expired on September 15, 2009. Zaens Pty Ltd was fined $8500,” the RMS spokesperson says.
“These offences also attracted court and professional costs.”
Authorities raided Lennons a day after it charged one of its truck drivers with dangerous driving over a triple-fatal crash on the Hume Highway. Police allege the driver crossed an embankment and hit a car head-on.