NSW Police and Roads and Maritime Services have vowed to keep targeting rogue trucking operators as Operation Discovery winds up
March 30, 2012
NSW authorities have vowed to keep hammering away at rogue trucking operators in the wake of Operation Discovery, which allegedly uncovered a host of breaches within the ranks of Fred’s Interstate Transport and Damorange.
NSW Police and the Roads and Maritime Services have waged coordinated strikes against the trucking industry this year, including targeting Lennons Transport Services and Scott’s of Mt Gambier.
Police operations commander Stuart Smith says the results of each operation have raised significant concerns.
“We have conducted three operations so far this year, and have serious concerns with the results being recorded across the industry,” he says.
“The joint heavy vehicle taskforce will continue to work closely to target those that fall within the chain of responsibility to address the issues we have found.”
Operation Discovery was launched this month after a Fred’s Interstate Transport truck was allegedly clocked at 130km/h. NSW Police has released the results of its inspections into both companies.
It says 92 trucks in total were looked over, with officers issuing 22 speed limiter compliance notices.
Another 39 defect notices were handed out for a range of offences relating to brakes, lights, mud flaps, axles, number plates, oil leaks and suspension.
All up, 19 penalty notices were issued for licence offences, defective equipment and fatigue offences. Three drivers in total were given court attendance notices for fatigue-related breaches.
Meanwhile, a 40-year-old truck driver from Bowraville was charged with driving in a manner dangerous to the public, negligent driving and travelling too close to another heavy vehicle in a safety cam zone. He is due to attend Fairfield Local Court on April 18.
NSW Police says a combined total of 484 trucks were inspected as part of its operations against the trucking industry. It claims 48 in total displayed evidence of speed tampering, while officers found 274 infringements relating to mechanical defects, log book and fatigue offences and licence issues.
Three drivers were charged with drug use and two charged with drug possession.