21 May 2013

Police targeting trucks

| johnboy
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trucks

ACT Policing is now targeting road safety amongst heavy vehicle drivers and transport companies as part of Operation AUSTRANS.

The operation is a joint effort across national police, transport and safety agencies which began yesterday (May 20) and will finish on June 16 2013.

Traffic Operations Sergeant Rod Anderson explained that although police include heavy vehicle drivers as part of their normal operations, during this period police will have a strong focus in this area.

“While most heavy vehicle operators are doing the right thing, some aren’t. Heavy vehicles must be road worthy, their loads secure and they must fit within specific weight and size criteria to ensure safe passage on the roads.”

ACT Policing and ACT Government Vehicle Inspectors will work in conjunction with their NSW counterparts with the aim to improve safety across the heavy vehicle industry in the capital region.

“We’ll be working closely with NSW Police to target safety issues, as many heavy vehicles travelling in Canberra also travel through NSW.”

“Fatigue in the heavy vehicle industry is a major concern for police. Breaches of the regulated work and rest hours, which could involve falsification of drivers’ records, will also be a focus of the operation.

“We’re also reminding motorists to take care while sharing the road with heavy vehicles. Take caution when overtaking heavy vehicles, which don’t have the same braking or manoeuvrability as smaller vehicles,” Sergeant Anderson said.

The month-long operation is part of the commitment by Australian and New Zealand Police Commissioners to the UN Decade of Action for Road Safety. It is the only operation of its kind, conducted annually in Australia since 1989.

[Courtesy ACT Policing]

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IrishPete said :

I’m still waiting for a crackdown on foglights.

IP

Yes I agree and also on the illegal H.I.D. headlight conversions that are extremely annoying.

peebus said :

Would have been good for an RTA check on my travels on the weekend. Following a cattle truck that was covering my car with cow sh*t. First I could hear it hitting the windscreen, then the smell too.
I could do nothing but laugh really, one of those things you have to face. Wasn’t too fun to wash off though.

I used to meet this problem regularly in my convertible driving in Perth on the roads to Fremantle, sheep’s piss and top-down motoring being an uncomfortable mix I learned to back off!

I’m still waiting for a crackdown on foglights.

IP

Would have been good for an RTA check on my travels on the weekend. Following a cattle truck that was covering my car with cow sh*t. First I could hear it hitting the windscreen, then the smell too.
I could do nothing but laugh really, one of those things you have to face. Wasn’t too fun to wash off though.

So Audi drivers overtaking illegally are not being targeted this month. I love the way you know in advance what not to do.

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