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SA Police nab another unsafe truck and probe driver

Litany of defects alleged, along with driver shortcomings

 

South Australia Police (Sapol) has slapped a defect notice on a truck and its driver is under investigation after several safety faults detected, the force has revealed.

Just after 3.20pm on Monday, a patrol from the Heavy Vehicle Enforcement Unit stopped a B-double combination on the Mallee Highway at Sherlock.  

The combination had earlier been seen overtaking cars and trucks on the Mallee Highway in the town of Peake.

The driver, a 41-year-old man from Parafield Gardens, tested positive for methamphetamine.  

Pending the analysis of his sample by Forensic Science SA he may be further charged with drug driving.


Read about the SA Police action less than a week ago, here


“Investigations showed that the driver had not been making entries in his work diary for at least the previous week despite the interstate work he had been undertaking requiring it,” Sapol said.

An inspection of the truck and trailers identified a number of serious safety faults.

The prime mover was defected for bald tyres, air leaks in the braking system and having a non-compliant speed limiter.

The trailers were found to have deficiencies in their braking systems as well as major structural cracks in the chassis and tipper bodies.

All vehicles in the combination were defected and directed to be taken immediately to a place of repair before undertaking any further work.

“Police would like to remind road users to report any erratic driving,” the force said.  

“Vehicles in such poor condition combined with drivers who are drug driving pose a significant risk to other road users.”

 

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