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Operation Catapult 4 uncovers compliance shortfalls

Infringements and defects plus speed limiter issues identified

 

The fourth instalment in New South Wales authorities’ Operation Catapult series, in south-west and western Sydney, has been underway this week with a series of shortfalls alleged.

More than half of the trucks inspected during a Joint Traffic Task Force operation in Sydney’s west yesterday, were found to be defective, police say.

The series began in March and in this action NSW Police Traffic & Highway Patrol Command officers, Roads and Maritime (RMS) Inspectors, and NSW Environment Protection Authority inspectors intercepted truck and dog heavy vehicles along the M4 at near Homebush Bay and surrounding areas.

The operation resulted in 95 truck and trailers being inspected, where:

  • 28 electronic speed limiters downloads were conducted, with five found to be non-compliant,
  • 34 infringements were issued
  • 54 defect notices were issued for various offences.

Assistant Commissioner Michael Corboy of the Traffic & Highway Patrol Command says Joint Traffic Task Force operations will continue until owners and operators can ensure all trucks are compliant.

“Operation Catapult is one of many operations undertaken by the Joint Traffic Task Force in order to keep unsafe trucks and drivers off our roads,” Corboy adds.

“We work closely with Roads and Maritime and the NSW Environment Protection Authority to ensure trucks are safe and compliant.

“Together, today we issued 34 infringements and handed out 54 defect notices for trucks that are not roadworthy and a danger to all road users.”

RMS director of compliance Roger Weeks says all parties in the road transport supply chain need to take positive steps to prevent mass, load restraint, dimension, and fatigue and speed offences or face fines.

“Roads and Maritime is responsible for detecting, investigating and prosecuting breaches of the chain of responsibility laws,” Weeks says.

“Roadworthiness of the truck fleet is also critically important, and Roads and Maritime inspectors will defect trucks which don’t meet the required safety standards.

“Everyone who uses our roads relies on the safe operation of those involved in moving construction waste around the road network.”

 

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