NSW Police Zero Tolerance Approach towards Defective Trucks
Authorities in New South Wales have taken a very firm approach towards defective trucks on the Hume Highway. The new year has begun with the authorities in NSW continuing their zero tolerance approach towards heavy vehicle defects. Police are serious about heavy vehicle compliance, which they have made evident by police officers first actions of the year – nabbing defective trucks on the Hume Highway.
NSW authorities have discovered non-compliant equipment on two B-Double trucks which they stopped for inspection on January 3 and January 7, according to an article on Fullyloaded.com.
The first truck stopped and inspected on January 3, was carrying a load of mixed dangerous goods which was not properly secured and the tyres and brakes were also found to be defective. The driver received fines to the value of $1,172.
The second vehicle stopped on January 7th, was at Pheasants Nest on the highway. Officers who inspected the vehicle found that it had unsecured items on board and the truck’s limiter was non-compliant. The limiter had been tampered with, allowing the truck to exceed the 100k/h speed limit. Officers also discovered the 42 year old Queensland driver was wanted for other driving matters. The driver was arrested and required to appear in court.
In an article on Fullyloaded.com.au the NSW Police assistant commissioner John Hartley was quoted as stating:
“We make no excuses for stopping these drivers and if necessary can ensure they are taken off the road for a period of time. We will continue to work with our partner agencies to ensure road users are not at risk,” NSW Police assistant commissioner John Hartley says.
Source: http://www.fullyloaded.com.au
The NSW Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) said both incidents were concerning because they happened during a time of the year when our roads are at their busiest.
Paul Endycott of the RMS said that officers stopping the vehicles probably prevented a tragedy from happening. He explained:
It was only the good work of police and Roads and Maritime officers which prevented what could have been a terrible tragedy,” RMS general manager of compliance operations Paul Endycott says.
Source: http://www.fullyloaded.com.au
This incident is an example of why everyone involved in the supply chain needs to be aware of what their responsibilities are and trained on their duty of care. These incidents highlight the importance of consignors complying with Chain of Responsibility requirements.
Police and RMS have not indicated whether they will be taking further action against other parties linked to the vehicles. Endycott explains:
“Consignors loaders and others in the chain of responsibility need to take more ownership in this. Directors of these companies can and will be held personally liable for these offences,” he says.
Source: http://www.fullyloaded.com.au
The compliance operations general manager added that RMS Officers recently received training in enforcement under dangerous goods transport law. The training which officers received focused on planning multi-agency activities relating to dangerous goods and heavy vehicle regulation.
The article was concluded with the following words of warning from Mr Endycott:
“It sends a strong message to the heavy vehicle industry there are more of us out there ensuring improved compliance of heavy vehicles carrying dangerous goods than ever before,” Endycott says.
Source: http://www.fullyloaded.com.au
With the NSW authorities taking a firm stance on heavy vehicle compliance it is important that everyone involved in the supply chain is aware of what is expected of them, this can be done by completing the relevant COR training. To learn more about COR compliance click here. If you don’t know where to begin, start with a Strategic Review for your firm’s specific needs.
