NSW Police Target Heavy Vehicle Compliance
Channel: Safe Roads Australia
Date: 31/07/2022

Officers have issued five major defects to heavy vehicles and identified two alleged drug-affected drivers, during a safety and compliance operation at distribution centres in Sydney’s south-west.

Operation Phoenix, which started at 7am today (Friday 13 March 2015), targeted a fleet of heavy vehicles at two distribution centres in Minchinbury.

The Joint Traffic Taskforce – including NSW Police and Roads and Maritime Services - targeted non-compliance of vehicle and loading standards, as well as drug and alcohol testing of drivers. 

The operation follows a 'speed audit' of point-to-point and safety camera systems in relation to a number of sub-contracting companies, where 96 trucks were identified speeding on more than 600 occasions since 1 January 2014.

As a result of the operation, 223 trucks and trailers were inspected resulting in five major and 28 minor defects being issued to trucks. These were for ancillary equipment, body/chassis, oil and fuel leaks, brakes, tyres and tow couplings.

In addition, out of 15 trucks that were subject to an 'Engine Control Module' download testing their speed limiters, three were defected and grounded, due to allegedly having reached speeds of more than 130km/h.

Meanwhile, police drug and alcohol tested 86 drivers resulting in two allegedly testing positive to methylamphetamine. Those drivers were suspended from driving for 24 hours with further court action pending.

Traffic and Highway Patrol Commander, Assistant Commissioner John Hartley, said the industry must operate safely on our roads.

"Whilst there were relatively few defects identified given the number of trucks inspected, the combination of alleged speed tampering and drivers affected by drugs presents a deadly combination.

"The key issue identified today was how these trucks were loaded ready for distribution. The majority of trucks were found to be either dangerously or poorly loaded, requiring immediate rectification by the operator before those trucks could leave.

“With wet weather on the roads and the loads shifting in transit, these issues present real risks not only to those drivers, but also those involved in loading, those that operate distribution centres, and other road users.

"With recent court outcomes from serious injury and fatal heavy vehicle crashes, those that operate distribution centres need to ensure that trucks are properly loaded, and roadworthy, with drivers fit and able to carry out that task,” he said.

Roads and Maritime Services Director Safety and Compliance, Peter Wells, issued a stern warning to companies whose trucks have been identified speeding, telling them the Joint Traffic Taskforce supports productivity within the industry but not at the expense of safety.

“If we have to work through these companies one by one we will to ensure safety on our roads. Productivity is important but not at the expense of safety.

“Directors of companies that drive prices down are obtaining a criminal commercial advantage and we will come after you. The boardrooms around Australia are on notice – you will be held responsible for decisions which ignore safety on our roads,” he said.

The NSW Police video, original can be found here: https://youtu.be/d87yrarapbM

This video was re-uploaded for educational purposes, and to publicise safe road use.