Authority hopes action deters operators from defying road access rules
A Victorian truck driver whose B-double became stuck on Broughton Pass in July has had his right to drive in NSW suspended for three months, a decision which Transport for NSW (TfNSW) says it hopes compels operators to use only approved heavy vehicle routes.
It took more than four hours to free the vehicle after it collided with safety barriers on entry to the bridge at Cataract River, and then about two weeks to repair the barriers following the incident, TfNSW explains.
TfNSW director compliance Roger Weeks says the decision to suspend the visiting privileges of the driver and truck and trailer combination followed careful consideration of the incident’s impact on the local community.
“The oversized truck caused damage to the road infrastructure and obstructed traffic, causing a 45 minute detour,” he says.
“These facts were considered and it was found to be appropriate to remove the right to drive from the interstate licence holder.”
Read more on how the incident unfolded, here
TfNSW notes Wilton Road has seven length and mass advisory signs including an electronic heavy vehicle warning sign and several other static signs in place to provide as much warning as possible that Broughton Pass is not a suitable B-double route.
“The decision by this driver to ignore these warnings and the resultant cost, time and inconvenience caused by the crash has led to his suspension from NSW roads for the next three months.
“It is hoped the penalties handed to this driver and the trucking company’s vehicles will serve as a warning to other operators to ensure they are always using approved heavy vehicle routes, wherever they are travelling in NSW.”