Thirty truck drivers have tested positive to drugs and more than 1200 defect notices were issued in New South Wales since the beginning of Operation Austrans, which commenced on Monday (18 May 2015).
Officers from the Joint Traffic Taskforce comprising the NSW Police Force Traffic and Highway Patrol Command working alongside Roads & Maritime Service Inspectors have been conducting the operation, part of a nationwide campaign focussing on heavy vehicle compliance and load restraint.
Since the operation began on Monday (18 May 2015) until Tuesday (26 May 2015), 1941 truck drivers were tested for drugs and 30 of them returned a positive result. In total, Traffic and Highway Patrol officers made 6208 intercepts and inspected 12388 heavy vehicles ranging from small rigid local trucks to interstate b-doubles.
Officers issued 1240 defect notices for a range of violations, including 53 non-compliant Engine Control modules, allowing those trucks to travel at speeds of more than 100km/h, brake, ancillary equipment and body and chassis faults.
In another incident around 10am (Monday 25 May 2015), officers from the Traffic and Highway Patrol Command observed an over-height B-double heavy vehicle stationary in a lane on General Holmes Drive.
Upon questioning the driver allegedly indicated he was distracted and mistakenly turned onto General Holmes Drive before stopping when the over-height warning lights had activated.
Officers closed General Holmes Drive in both directions and the vehicle was turned around toward Foreshore Road for inspection.
The driver was issued with two penalty notices for being off route and disobeying road access signs and one penalty notice for a work diary offence.
Traffic and Highway Patrol Command’s Assistant Commissioner John Hartley said Operation Austrans was aimed at ensuring road safety for all by focussing on heavy vehicles.
“Any tampering with trucks, incorrect and unrestrained loading, driving fatigued, while under the influence of drugs or alcohol or exceeding the speed limit is violation of the law. Police officers are out in force to make sure that those offenders are stopped for the safety of the entire community,” Assistant Commissioner Hartley said
“The Joint Traffic Taskforce Officers are out there everyday to prevent heavy vehicle related crashes on our roads.”
Operation Austrans, a month-long operation, began across Australia and New Zealand on Monday May 18 2015.