Safety and compliance operation to coincide with on-road tolerance and safe-driving campaign
The end of annual national joint trucking blitz Operation Austrans may be looming but Victorian authorities have geared up for their next effort.
VicRoads says it officers will inspect trucks and heavy vehicles throughout Melbourne’s northern and western suburbs during Operation Trishula.
It will run to Friday and target unroadworthy and non-compliant vehicles.
VicRoads regulatory services director Eric Henderson says it is the second in a series of heavy vehicle inspection programs across the state in 2015.
“All road users have a responsibility to ensure our roads are safe,” Henderson says.
“Victoria’s roads are a shared community asset and it is essential that all vehicles meet legal requirements.
“As part of Operation Trishula, VicRoads officers will be working with Victoria Police and WorkSafe teams to inspect vehicles,” Henderson says.
“Truck drivers and the owners of heavy vehicles have an obligation to ensure they are safe.
“Too much is at risk if they are not.
“If heavy vehicles have inadequate brakes, are overloaded or drivers are working excessive hours – as well as other potential problems – you’re putting other road users, yourself, your family and livelihood at risk.
“Road transport is a vital part of Victoria’s economy and ensuring heavy vehicles of all types are safe is vital to ensure the community’s safety.”
Operation Trishula coincides with VicRoads’ Travel Happy – Share the Road campaign, which encourages greater respect on the road – its details can be found here.
“Truck drivers and other road users must give each space and consider how their actions affect other road users,” Henderson says.
“A truck’s blind spots make cars and motorbikes invisible to the driver, so if you can’t see the driver in the mirror, they can’t see you.
“Also, trucks need significantly more time to stop than other road users so if you’re passing one don’t cut the gap they need to stop safely.
“Trucks too, can make life easier for other road users by taking care not to tailgate which can be intimidating.
“As professional drivers, they know they need to drive in a way that does not put others at risk.
“Above all, no matter what mode of transport you are using take care and think about how your driving or riding affects others.”
Meanwhile, in South Australia, Operation Austrans continued yesterday on the South Eastern Freeway with police defecting four trucks, plus drink and drug testing all drivers.
Sturt traffic patrols stopped 21 trucks this morning on the freeway downtrack at Leawood Gardens, resulting in four trucks being defected, including one for no speedometer.
Five drivers were also reported for work diary offences, insecure loads and registration labels.
All 21 drivers were drug and alcohol tested with no positive readings.
Operation Austrans will continue until Saturday.