New round of Operation Impact among recent blitz efforts
NSW Police reports of two heavy vehicle compliance operations in the past week, one of which was a new round of the recurrent Operation Impact.
That, taking place between May 11 to 15 at the Pine Creek Heavy Vehicle Inspection Station, saw the Traffic Task Force stop 175 trucks, with NSW Police revealing it:
- conducted 100 random drug tests, resulting in three positive tests
- issued 140 infringements for work diary, load restraints and fail to enter
- proffered six fatigue charges
- conducted 25 engine control module downloads with three instances of non-compliance, resulting in defects issued.
Of concern to the police was a driver of a heavy rigid testing positive to methamphetamines, a driver of a five-tonne pantech testing positive to cannabis, a male driver of a B-double testing positive to a breath test, and a light-vehicle driver detected for speeding and testing positive to cocaine.
“As part of a ‘notice to produce’ investigation, a heavy vehicle was stopped at 12-Mile Inspection Station, multiple offences were detected in the drivers work diary, issued eight infringements for work diary offences,” a statement reads.
Then, on May 15, Police from Central West Highway Patrol together with Transport for NSW (TfNSW) Inspectors conducted an operation at the ‘pads’ on the Newell Highway, Daroobalgie.
“The majority of heavy vehicles and drivers stopped were found to be complying with fatigue and vehicle standards however a number weren’t,” NSW Police notes.
“Police and Transport detected two unregistered heavy vehicles, six defects including one non-compliant speed limiter, two weight breaches, two work diary and three fatigue offences including one critical fatigue breach with the driver charged to appear before Court.
“Infringement notices were issued to drivers found to be breaching the regulations.”
The operations coincide with some high-profile news cases involving heavy vehicles in the state, one of which includes the Menangle truck-ute dangerous driving incident.
How footage of that incident emerged online, here
Following a public appeal, NSW Police charged a 47-year-old truck driver, who handed himself in, with ‘drive recklessly/furiously or speed/manner dangerous’.
He is set to appear at Campbelltown Local Court on August 4.