Details hard to come by on alarming statement about speeding scourge
NSW police stakeholder relations manager chief inspector Phillip Brooks says speed limiter tampering is back, highlighting the Chain of Responsibility (CoR) implications.
In a LinkedIn post, Brooks says the issue is ‘back, bolder than ever’, before discussing the risk of speed tampering under CoR and outlining a recent breach.
“At a time when CoR laws have placed Exec Officer liability up front, the risk to business & individuals is very real, & quite possible for those in the ‘Chain of Responsibility’,” he says.
“Remember, someone has actually had to do this, potentially in front of others.
“How is it that routine checks & balances miss this, particularly in an era of technology that would detect such anomalies.”
Brooks confirms that it was, “yes, a national fleet / carrier,” an alarming detail.
Read Brooks’ take on construction truck safety, here
The particularly case discussed in the post occurred on October 18 and involved a semitrailer travelling at 125km/h in a 100km/h zone.
“Driver admitted to tampering with speed limiter by placing small wedges in the pulse wheel,” Brooks explains.
“Wedges removed by the driver and seized.”
RMS was contacted for data showing that this issue is on the rise, but a general statement was provided instead.
“Roads and Maritime Services is aware most heavy vehicle operators understand the importance of vehicle safety, encourage good driver behaviour and are developing safety management systems to monitor and maintain driver and vehicle compliance,” an RMS spokesperson says.
“As part of the Roads and Maritime risk-based, outcome-focus compliance activities, Roads and Maritime is working closely with the NSW Police to target heavy vehicles that have been modified to exceed the maximum 100 km/h speed capacity as required under the Australian Design Rules.
“Using various data sources, Roads and Maritime is able to detect and identify non complying heavy vehicles exceeding the 100 km/h limit.”