Traffic and Highway Patrol Command Officers working alongside Roads and Maritime Services officers have issued 2810 defect notices to trucks and trailers in the second week of Operation StateTrans.
In total, 29,740 trucks and trailers were intercepted since the operation began, and 1,697 traffic infringements and 615 breach notices were issued for licence, registration, load, fatigue and other offences.
Inspectors have downloaded 376 Engine Control Modules so far during the operation, with 75 found to be non-compliant or tampered with, allowing speeds of over 100km/h on NSW roads. In addition, out of 1,252 random drug tests, 15 drivers tested positive and were given 24-hour prohibition notices from driving, and are pending further Court action.
Traffic and Highway Patrol Commander Assistant Commissioner John Hartley, said Joint Traffic Taskforce Operations were essential for ensuring the state of the NSW heavy vehicle fleet was safe on our roads.
“This is an opportunity for drivers, loaders, operators, companies, and directors alike to learn from our enforcement experience.
“While the number of non-compliance issues is relatively low given the number of trucks intercepted, those that are tampering with speed to allow their trucks to travel over the 100kph limit for heavy vehicles are being identified, prosecuted, and put off the road,” Assistant Commissioner Hartley said.
Roads and Maritime Services General Manager Compliance Operations, Paul Endycott, said with more than 175,000 heavy vehicles registered in NSW, targeted enforcement operations like StateTrans play a crucial role in identifying and reducing non-compliance.
“Over the past three years there has been a 50 per cent drop in the defect rate in NSW, StateTrans plays an important role in seeing this downwards trend continue,” Mr Endycott said.
“With thousands of truck movements taking place every day, drivers, operators and all parties in the Chain of Responsibility must ensure their business practices do not compromise safety on the roads, and all vehicles must be roadworthy and meet the required checks and balances.
“It’s only a small number of drivers, operators, and companies that continually do the wrong thing which is why working with NSW Police Traffic and Highway Patrol is important in both ensuring, and enforcing, heavy vehicle compliance on the roads,” he said.
Some examples of serious non compliance include;
About 11pm on Tuesday (10 May 2016), officers stopped a B-double carrying 60 ton of bagged sugar on the Cumberland Highway.
An inspection revealed that the first trailer was unregistered and a $1,300 infringement notice was issued along with four demerit points.
Further inspection revealed that four tyres on the rear trailer were dangerously defective, with three
having exposed tyre casings.
The trailer was issued a major defect and unloaded, pending registration of the trailer and tyre replacement.
About 9pm on Thursday (12 May 2016) police stopped a heavy vehicle travelling south on the Newell Highway, Daroobalgie. Checks on the driver’s licence revealed he had a ourt-imposed driver licence cancellation until 2032.
A search of the vehicle revealed a number of work diairies, a radar detector and prohibited knives. The driver was arrested and taken for mandatory testing.
About 2.45am yesterday, (18 May 2016), police stopped a heavy vehicle and in Pine Creek. Checks on the driver revealed he was disqualified from driving.
Further checks revealed the vehicle had been allegedly tampered with to exceed speeds of 100km/h and had a radar detector installed.
StateTrans, a joint initiative between Australian Police and road agencies continues throughout the month of May.