Police found cases of speed limiter tampering during the two-day truck blitz in Sydney
The New South Wales police issued multiple infringements and defect notices during the two-day heavy vehicle blitz in Sydney that ended yesterday.
The joint traffic taskforce conducted heavy vehicle inspections across the city as part of Operation Catapult, with an aim to take dangerous heavy vehicles off the road.
Traffic and highway patrol superintendent Stuart Smith claims the team found cases of speed limiter tampering.
“We have identified tampered with trucks, trucks that can travel in excess of 150km/h,” Stuart says.
The team intercepted truck and dog heavy vehicles at sites on Old Hill Link Road, Sydney Olympic Park, and the M5 at Bexley.
The operation resulted in 75 truck and trailers being inspected, with the following issues found:
- 14 electronic speed limiters downloads were conducted, with four found to be non-compliant,
- 22 infringements were issued for various offences, and
- 33 defect notices were issued – including two major grounded notices for serious mechanical issues and a non-compliant speed limiter.
Traffic & Highway Patrol command assistant commissioner Michael Corboy says joint traffic task force operations like this one are run to ensure the safety of all road users.
“The joint traffic task force will continue these types of operations with the aim of getting dangerous trucks off our roads,” Corboy says.
“Our duty is to keep the public safe and to do this we will continue to target and take action against drivers, operators, and company owners who cut corners when it comes to safety.
“We work closely with Roads and Maritime, the Environment Protection Authority and Worksafe NSW to ensure trucks are safe and compliant.
“In two days we found 33 truck and trailer defects and issued 22 infringements. That is simply not good enough.
“If you think you can get away with owning or driving a truck that is not up to scratch, you are wrong.”