Operation Hydra, a joint operation between the NSW Police Force and the RMS, has concluded with more than 200 defect notices issued to non-compliant trucks.

The operation, being led by the Joint Heavy Vehicle Taskforce, was activated in response to recent heavy-vehicle crashes, fires and other non-compliance issues. It started on Monday (19 October 2015) and concluded yesterday (Friday 23 October 2015).

Notable results from the operation include:

– 1004 trucks and trailers were inspected;

– 203 (21 Major, 182 Minor) defect notices were issued for a range of issues regarding wheels and tyres, brakes, oil and fuel leaks, suspension, and body and chassis problems;

– 10 speed-limiters were found to have been tampered with to allow trucks to travel in excess of the 100kmh speed limit for heavy vehicles;

– Nine drivers returned positive roadside drug tests and will front court; and,

– One driver was found to be in possession of drugs, drug implements, and a prohibited weapon, in addition to driving a truck with a tampered speed-limiter.

Assistant Commissioner John Hartley of the NSW Police Force’s Traffic & Highway Patrol Command said compliance and enforcement are critical to changing poor truck driver behaviour across NSW.

“Given that 63 per cent, or 256 million tonnes, of Australia’s road freight is passing through New South Wales, we need to do everything we can to ensure trucks are being driven lawfully,” Assistant Commissioner Hartley said.

“Following recent fatal and serious injury crashes, truck fires and roll-overs, the Joint Heavy Vehicle Taskforce is there to work with industry for the benefit of road safety in NSW, and across Australia.”

Assistant Commissioner Hartley said that the Joint Heavy Vehicle Taskforce can be established quickly in response to significant incidents on NSW roads.

“We can activate the Taskforce at very short notice,” he said.

“To have one truck with transmission and engine oil leaks, exhaust leaks, inoperative headlights, parklights and horn, as well as obstructed numberplates, a loose driver’s seat, and poorly adjusted service brakes, proves the worth of our work.

“To have another truck driver test positive to drugs, found to be in possession of drugs and a prohibited weapon, in a truck that had its speed-limiter tampered, suggests quite clearly that these trucks and drivers should not only not have been on the road, they should not have been allowed to leave distribution centres in that condition.

“I would like to think our work has effectively prevented serious injury or fatal crashes on our roads in these two cases.”

Roads and Maritime Services Director Safety and Compliance Peter Wells said the results showed there was still work to do in ensuring the heavy vehicle industry was operating at an optimal level for the safety of all road users.

“Having looked at 1000 trucks or trailers at distribution centres, it was encouraging to find signs of improvement at some sites. It is clear that some Distribution Centre executives are taking this seriously. We are occasionally now finding sites that are well-managed for chain of responsibility and road transport.

“However, it is still clear others are not being well-managed for safe and compliant operations of truck transport,” Mr Wells said.

“Of serious concern we found 10 trucks with non-compliant speed limiters to enable them to illegally speed more than 100 km/h, as well as 21 major defects.

“Driver fatigue at some sites was not being managed well at all.

“We will be working closely with the heavy vehicle industry to see if we can stamp out the 10 per cent of rogue operators who are letting the side down badly.

“We will now engage closely with Senior Executives from these sites with detailed feedback for them to manage,” he said.