Driver suspended but company issued with infringements
The transport company linked to a truck driver caught driving 150km/h with a defective vehicle on the Hume Motorway in Mittagong, NSW, has been blitzed, with NSW Police issuing further defects and infringements.
While the speeding driver was found to be a subcontractor, NSW Police spokesperson Phillip Brooks explains the Georges Hall operator would still be liable on the grounds of chain of responsibility (COR) and executive officer liability.
Read more about that case, along with results of a recent Operation Kamyon, here
“On Tuesday 5th March 2019, Police attached to Traffic Task Force attended the Georges Hall operator’s address and served a notice to produce on the general manager of the company, directing all the trucks associated with the company to be produced for inspection,” NSW Police says in a statement.
“On Wednesday 6th March 2019, Police attached to Traffic Task Force with the assistance of RMS [Roads and Maritime Services] inspectors conducted an examination of the company’s 13 heavy vehicles.”
“Two [were] issued with a major defect category (red and yellow label) for ‘brake air line leak and excessive brake wear ‘ and a further 11 minor defects issued to the remainder of the fleet ranging from dash turn signals inoperative, excessive movement at turn table jaw area, exhaust mount broken, insufficient tread on tyres, engine oil leaks, brake imbalance on various axles.
“A total of five infringement notices were issued for minor defects and four infringement notices for work diary offences, as well as a licence suspension advice issued to one of the drivers for failing to comply with RMS medical grounds.”
Two engine control module downloads were conducted, which were compliant.
“RMS inspectors also issued nine speed limiter compliance notices as an audit for vehicles within the fleet identified those exceeding the average speed limit of 100km/h on the Hume Highway.
“The Traffic Taskforce will continue to respond to events involving serious non-compliance and work with Roads and Maritime to ensure that heavy vehicles are both safe, and compliant, on NSW roads,” NSW Police says.