Newest Operation Impact results in 60 infringements, 20 charges
One of the first big trucking blitzes of the year sees nearly 700 heavy vehicles inspected over five days in New South Wales.
According to New South Wales Police, on February 3-7, officers conducted a heavy vehicle compliance operation the Kankool Heavy Vehicle Inspection Station on New England Highway at Willow Tree.
It reports the following:
• 688 trucks stopped; drivers breath tested with no positive results
• 150 drivers drug tested; 2 positive results
• 60 infringements issued for work diary, load restraints and for failing to enter Heavy Vehicle Checking Station
• 18 charges relating to work diary and fatigue offences drive; contrary to 24hr prohibition notice
• 12 engine control module downloads – 3 non-compliant (capable of 103km/h in all cases)
• 11 minor defects issued for brake, engine control module, number plates, oil leaks etc.
• 3 weight breach charges
• 1 suspended driver.
Of the more extreme examples, a 41-year-old driver from Edensor Park was stopped and tested positive to methamphetamine and cannabis, with a 24-hour prohibition notice issued and vehicle parked up at site.
The next morning police returned to discover the vehicle and driver had left. The driver admitted he drove away from the site and received an additional charge of driving contrary to prohibition notice.
A 45-year-old B-double driver from Queensland, hauling mining equipment between Newcastle and Emerald, also tested positive to cannabis.
NSW Police chief inspector Phillip Brooks tells ATN the outcome of the operation, barring some notable exceptions, was encouraging, but points to an increase in heavy truck fatal crashes in the state as prompting further police safety efforts.
An NHVR blitz late last year also showed growing compliance
“Given the number of trucks stopped, and drivers breath tested, the compliance rate was very good,” he says.
“However, it is a small number of drivers and operators that let the rest of the industry down.
“Those speed tampering, using drugs, driving defective unroadworthy vehicles will continue to be the focus of police operations, in order not only improve safety and compliance, but to drive down the road toll.
“With 52 fatal truck crashes leading to 57 deaths in the last 12 months, being seven crashes and deaths more than the 12 months’ previous, clearly, there is more to do.”