Mix of owners in authorities' sights following complaints on ABC
Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) alongside NSW Police carried out a compliance operation last Thursday at a Tip Top depot in Chullora.
“A total of 46 vehicles were inspected and 25 defects were issued – three major, 15 minor and seven formal warnings,” an RMS spokesperson confirmed.
“Four speed limiter downloads were taken by NSW Police.
“NSW Police also issued six penalty notices, two of which were for work diary offences, two for defective seat belts, one for defective brakes and one for expired driver licence.
“Vehicles inspected were a mix of vehicles owned by George Western foods and independent transport operators.”
The inspections came just weeks after an ABC 7.30 report that highlighted drivers’ issues with long hours, lost income and safety issues.
In the report, owner-driver Paul Clapson spoke about safety concerns due to maintenance costs and low pay.
“There’s also the major safety issue,” Clapson says.
“And because we aren’t getting paid what we probably should be, your maintenance goes on your truck, you become a problem out on the road if you are tired, you can’t put drivers on – there’s a whole range of issues.”