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Operation StateTrans underway

Police and road services in NSW begin month-long operation

 

Over 3,200 trucks and trailers have been inspected in the first two days of Operation StateTrans, a month-long coordinated effort by the NSW Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) and local police.

According to those behind the operation, of the 3,260 trucks and trailers examined, 247 defect notices were issued.

An additional 79 infringements were noted and 55 breach and court attendance notices were handed out.

“It is not acceptable to have trucks on the road which are unsafe, posing a significant risk to other road users,” RMS general manager compliance operations Paul Endycott says.

“We will continue to work with NSW Police and other state road agencies to ensure operators are targeted and hit with the full force of the law.”

Of the 89 engine control module downloads conducted during the first two days, the inspectors say they found 23 had been tampered with to allow for trucks to travel above the allotted 100km/h limit.

NSW traffic & highway patrol assistant commissioner John Hartley says transport operators “need to ensure that safety is the main priority.”

“Sadly, poor driver behaviour, maintenance, loading, and speeding have led to heavy vehicle fatal crashes and serious injuries on our roads, which Operation StateTrans will focus on,” he says.

“Police will also focus on cross border activities, making sure that interstate registered trucks and trailers are compliant with NSW laws.

“If not, interstate police and road agencies will be alerted and those operators will be subject to further compliance and enforcement.”

In one of a few examples shared by the NSW police, it was fellow drivers who led police to a man who “was allegedly driving a heavy combination vehicle and appeared to be under the influence of an illicit substance.”

“Other heavy vehicle operators alerted police and were attempting to prevent this driver from leaving the area,” a police statement says.

“On arrival officers approached the man who was allegedly seated in the truck with the ignition running.

“The driver was subjected to a roadside breath test which returned a negative result.

“Officers will also allege that a search of the heavy vehicle located a used syringe under the rear cabin bed.”

In another example from the first day of the operation, NSW police say it stopped a truck and dog trailer combination overloaded with bricks and was being used despite having its registration cancelled.

The truck was also found to have “defective brakes, and missing brake lights and mud flaps,” the police say.

The StateTrans operation will continue until the end of May.

 

 

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