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RMS hails compliance action results

NSW authorities claim huge reduction in trucking transgressions and accidents since late last year

August 23, 2013

New South Wales has claimed a huge reduction in trucking transgressions and accidents
since late last year, a period maked by a series of compliance operations.

Almost 34,000 heavy vehicles were put under the microscope in the past 10 months, according to Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) figures.

Authorities intercepted 33,941 vehicles, of which 5,122 were found with defects and 2,188 were issued penalty notices.

Another 205 were served court notices and 862 checked for speed limiter compliance.

Fatal crash accidents involving trucks were halved during the first three months and speeding was reduced by nearly 80 percent, RMS Customer and Compliance Director Peter Wells says.

The authority is determined to change the culture of the industry and is on top of the issues, he adds.

“These results show the combination of strong commitment, targeted enforcement, industry education and regulator technology is producing safer roads for the community,” Wells says.

“Laws are in place to target loading, mass and dimension requirements along with fatigue and speed compliance.

“The laws focus on a ‘chain of responsibility’ which captures all parties in the logistics chain who may use or contribute to these offences.”

An unnamed transport company was for the second time convicted for over-height offences in July after crashing into a bridge in March, causing $1.7 million damage, the RMS says.

It was fined and ordered to pay $1.4 million in compensation for the damages.

“The second time, the same vehicle was intercepted for carrying an over-height excavator,” Wells says.

“The company was fined $30,000 for the second offence and the director was fined $1,100 and ordered to pay $500 professional costs.”

Twelve separate operations were held on Hawkesbury Road at Springwood, in the Blue Mountains, in July where 37 trucks were checked.

Wells says the road is deteriorating because of non-compliant trucks that endanger the safety of other road users.

He called on operators to plan their route, saying further operations in the area will continue.

“The message for the industry is clear; heavy vehicles will be stopped, drivers spoken to, companies and directors investigated and heavy vehicles grounded for inspection by the joint heavy vehicle taskforce,” Wells says.

“RMS will continue to work with NSW police, other road agencies and interstate police to address dangerous behaviours within the heavy vehicle industry and target the companies which show a blatant disregard for the law.”

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