Heavy Vehicle Road Safety Blitz Completed in Queensland
Image source: FullyLoaded.com.au
Queensland Police officers have just concluded a heavy vehicle road safety blitz spanning 4 weeks as part of Operation Austrans 2015.
Police Minister Jo-Ann Miller commended the dedication of the Queensland Police Service traffic officers following the release of results from the blitz.
Minister Miller said the Queensland Police Service and other authorities were out in full force during the operation, intercepting more than 10,000 heavy vehicles.
Minister Miller stated,
“The Palaszczuk Government is committed to keeping Queenslanders safe on our roads, and I’m pleased the QPS was once again able to take part in this operation which runs right across Australia and New Zealand every year,”
Source: http://www.bigrigs.com.au
Minister Miller went on to explain that lowering the number of crashes involving heavy vehicles was crucial to overall road safety,
“While we know the vast majority of heavy vehicle drivers do the right thing, it is important that police focus their attention on all groups of road users – so this operation forms part of the QPS strategy to lower the number of crashes involving trucks and other larger vehicles.”
Source: http://www.bigrigs.com.au
According to Minister Miller police detected 84 incidents of speeding and 31 incidents of drivers not wearing their seatbelts during the operation between May 18 and June 13. They also detected 26 mobile phone or distraction offences.
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There were 30 drivers who tested positive for drugs, Minister Miller revealed,
“As well, a total of 30 drivers tested positive to a roadside drug test while nine people were charged with drink driving following nearly 7,000 RBTs being conducted,” Minister Miller said.
“Forty-five drug offences including possessing dangerous drugs were detected and police also intercepted 39 unlicensed, suspended or disqualified drivers and 66 were either unregistered and or uninsured.”
Source: http://www.bigrigs.com.au
There were 56 critical cases of exceeding work or failing to take a required rest break detected, highlighting that some drivers aren’t abiding by fatigue and chain of responsibility laws.
Seventy eight drivers failed to produce a work diary and 358 drivers were found to have failed to complete their work diary.
There were also a number of vehicle failures detected including 20 heavy vehicles severely exceeding their mass and 2 with loads that severely exceeded the vehicle’s dimensions.
Acting Assistant Commissioner Mike Keating explained that road safety was everyone’s responsibility but that drivers operating heavy vehicles carried an even greater responsibility because of the sheer size of their vehicles and because they spend so much more time on the road than other casual road users.
“A traffic incident involving a heavy vehicle can have catastrophic consequences, particularly when it involves a smaller vehicle, cyclist or motorbike as the risk of injury or death is significantly higher,” Acting Assistant Commissioner Keating said.
“Drivers of heavy vehicles need to keep more than just the fatal five in mind when travelling across Queensland.
Failing to take required breaks, not having the necessary paper work and exceeding dimensions and mass loads contributes to a very dangerous driving experience.”
Read more at: http://www.bigrigs.com.au
It is important for everyone in the supply chain to be aware of their responsibilities to avoid being detected by police for various offences. To learn more about Chain of responsibility compliance click here.
