Beleaguered transport firm cops full wrath of NSW road authority in the wake of ongoing investigation into the company’s operations
Besieged trucking operator Cootes Transport will front court in New South Wales on more than 300 charges stemming from ongoing and targeted inspections of the company’s fleet.
The Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) has issued 222 court attendance notices relating to interstate registration, 86 for operating an unsafe vehicle, five charges for mass, and two for load restraint offences for fuel leaks.
The RMS has relentlessly pursued Cootes after one of its tankers was involved in a fatal crash at Mona Vale in October last year, with the trucking firm having its rigs forced off the road on multiple occasions.
The RMS says two tankers were found to have brake issues last week during a fleet inspection.
NSW Roads Minister Duncan Gay recently ordered another compliance inspection, while
Cootes last week voluntarily grounded its entire fleet in in Victoria after a VicRoads investigation uncovered major defects in more than 20 fuel tankers.
VicRoads Acting CEO Peter Todd says 32 trucks and trailers were inspected and 25 were found to have major defects resulting in those vehicles being grounded.
“We have been working with Cootes Transport since we undertook a full audit on the company in October 2013,” he says.
However, he adds that the February 14 follow-up inspection was brought forward because the RMS had identified a number of defects in the NSW fleet in the previous week.
The VicRoads audit revealed defective brakes, shockers, air bags, loose bolts and oil leaks.
Cootes agreed to immediately ground its fuel and LPG fleets upon being informed of the results of the inspection. All vehicles are being independently inspected.
The grounding sparked concerns about fuel supply issues in Victoria, but as of February 18 Cootes had 30 vehicles back on the road.
VicRoads says the number will increase over the coming days.
Road motoring group RACV played down concerns about fuel shortages, saying there are a number of other trucking companies that deliver fuel to retail outlets.
It says VicRoads needs to address why there appears to be a systemic safety issue with Cootes and to reassure Victorians that adequate safety and inspection procedures are in place.