Drivers in south-west NSW firms targeted after ‘recent incidents’
More than 200 infringement notices have been handed out to trucking operators after a huge blitz in southwest NSW earlier this week.
Impaired driving, mechanical standards and road restraints were the focus of a heavy vehicle Operation Convoy.
It was established by officers from the Traffic and Highway Patrol Command to provide a high-visibility police presence and target unsafe heavy vehicle driver behaviours, NSW Police reports.
The four-day operation took place between April 11 and 14, targeting heavy vehicles travelling through NSW via the Cobb, Mid-Western and Sturt highways.
It comes as the NHVR and government set the next truck roadworthiness check
Officers stopped more than 500 heavy vehicles as part of the operation.
The results were:
- Of the 221 random roadside drug tests, seven positive results were obtained
- More than 200 infringement notices were issued for a range of offences relating to fatigue, load restraints and dimensional breaches
- A further nine defects and eight cautions were issued against heavy vehicles.
Traffic and Highway Patrol Command acting inspector Brett Collins points to “recent incidents” as sparking the police operation though does not expand on the particulars of those.
“Police held concerns following several serious heavy vehicle crashes on regional roads,” Collins says.
“Driver error, inadequate load restraints and poor mechanical standards were all contributing factors to recent crashes, and this operation really focused on targeting those unsafe behaviours.
“We strongly encourage drivers of heavy vehicles to ensure they are practicing safety at all times.
“This means checking your load, taking regular breaks and complying with road rules and relevant legislation.
“We’re also putting employers on notice; if we see heavy vehicle drivers doing the wrong thing you can expect a knock on the door and further investigations to take place.
“Heavy vehicles remain over-represented in serious crashes, and we want to reduce this as much as possible.”