The Joint Traffic Taskforce conducted heavy vehicle inspections across Sydney during part of Operation Catapult, with Traffic and Highway Patrol Superintendent Stuart Smith claiming, "We have identified tampered with trucks, trucks that can travel in excess of 150km/h."
The two-day operation, that commenced March 1 and finished up the following day, was aimed at taking dangerous heavy vehicles off the road.
The Joint Traffic Taskforce intercepted truck and dog heavy vehicles at sites on Old Hill Link Road, Sydney Olympic Park, and the M5 at Bexley.
The operation resulted in 75 truck and trailers being inspected, with the following issued found:
-14 electronic speed limiters downloads were conducted, with four found to be non-compliant,
-22 infringements were issued for various offences, and
-33 defect notices were issued – including two major grounded notices for serious mechanical issues and a non-compliant speed limiter.
Acting Commander of the Traffic & Highway Patrol Command, Assistant Commissioner Michael Corboy says Joint Traffic Task Force operations like this one are run to ensure the safety of all road users.
“The Joint Traffic Task Force will continue these types of operations with the aim of getting dangerous trucks off our roads,” he said.
“Our duty is to keep the public safe and to do this we will continue to target and take action against drivers, operators, and company owners who cut corners when it comes to safety.
“We work closely with Roads and Maritime, the Environment Protection Authority and Worksafe NSW to ensure trucks are safe and compliant.
“In two days we found 33 truck and trailer defects and issued 22 infringements. That is simply not good enough.
“If you think you can get away with owning or driving a truck that is not up to scratch, you are wrong.”