Authorities nab more speeding drivers, as police target South Australian operator and two trucking businesses in Victoria
September 10, 2012
Authorities are continuing to turn the screws on trucking operators flouting speeding laws, as investigations into three businesses get underway.
Police officers from South Australia and New South Wales were out in force late last week, with the latter catching a driver travelling 35km/h over the speed limit on the Hume Highway about 9.45pm on September 7.
The 44-year-old truck driver was handed an infringement notice that carries a fine of $1,112 and five demerit points. The truck, operated by a transport company in South Australia, was carrying 62 tonnes of freight and was defected by police due to alleged speed limiter non-compliance.
A truck driver working for a company under close watch by South Australia Police was pulled over on September 8 on the Sturt Highway and subjected to a drug test.
He allegedly returned a positive result for amphetamines and was grounded for 24 hours. The vehicle’s engine control module was downloaded and allegedly revealed the speed limiter had been tampered with.
Inspections of the driver’s work diary allegedly revealed a number of fatigue breaches, while police also found a second work diary and evidence of load restraint issues. Officers issued numerous fines.
Both police agencies have condemned the drivers’ actions, with NSW Police Superintendent Stuart Smith expressing concern that sections of the industry are still breaking the law despite recent well-publicised operations targeting heavy vehicles.
“This blatant disregard for the speed limit and the safety of other road-users is extremely irresponsible and dangerous,” Smith says.
“The message for the industry is clear, any speeding trucks will be stopped, drivers infringed and the vehicles grounded for inspection by the joint heavy vehicle taskforce.”
The latest transgressions come as NSW Police conducts investigations into a Renmark-based trucking company in South Australia and two operators from Victoria. Vehicles belonging to the three companies were allegedly detected speeding in NSW earlier this year.
A truck owned by the Renmark operator was allegedly detected travelling at 126km/h on August 9 in a 100km/h zone on the Hume Highway. The vehicle was impounded and represented the fourth time the truck was caught speeding in the last 18 months.
It has now had its visiting rights to NSW suspended for three months. A trucking company in Shepparton, Victoria will also come under police scrutiny after one of its trucks was stopped by NSW Police.
Police allege B-double was travelling at 125km/h in a 100km/h zone on the Hume Highway at Holbrook on August 30. The truck was impounded and the driver issued with a traffic infringement notice.
The activities of another trucking company in Tullamarine, Victoria will be examined after one of the company’s vehicles was detected travelling at 115km/h in a 100km/h zone on the Hume Highway on September 1.
Police allege there is proof of tampering with the speed sensor. The vehicle was impounded and further inquiries are being conducted.
