Twenty-eight trucks and trailers in one Gerringong trucking company were found with defects during a police raid on Tuesday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
One of the company’s trucks was involved in a serious crash in Engadine on September 9 with officers from Operation Rhino inspecting a number of vehicles at Gerringong as part of the continuous campaign to ensure the roadworthiness of all vehicles using NSW roads.
Joint Traffic Taskforce officers from the Traffic and Highway Patrol Command, working alongside Roads and Maritime inspectors, found 28 of the 29 company trucks and trailers were defective.
Officers issued defect notices for brakes, oil and fuel leaks, tyres, chassis failures and other issues.
One truck was found to have a significant fuel leak and was subject of a major grounded defect.
Out of eight engine control module downloads, two trucks were found to have non-compliant speed limiters, allowing speeds over the 100km/h limit for heavy vehicles.
Officers also seized other documentation relating to last week’s crash.
Acting Assistant Commissioner David Driver said transport companies involved in earthmoving and other heavy loads, in truck and dog trailer combinations, need to ensure that their vehicles and drivers are safe to be on NSW roads.
"With defective trucks and non-compliant speed limiters, a driver’s ability to brake suddenly in an emergency situation becomes impossible, potentially leading to a serious injury or fatal crash,” Acting Assistant Commissioner Driver said.
“Traffic and HWP Command will continue to work closely with the RMS to ensure all heavy vehicles are safe and complying with all standards to the benefit of all road users.
"With the road toll currently at 277, 34 more than this time last year, heavy vehicle operators, drivers, loaders, and customers, all need to ensure safety is their number one priority.”
Roads and Maritime General Manager of Compliance Operations Paul Endycott said it was disappointing that the majority of the company’s trucks were non-compliant.
“This is simply not good enough. For only one truck to pass inspection means this company has a long way to go before it comes off our radar,” he said.
“Not addressing defects which cause safety issues on the road puts all motorists at risk which is not acceptable. We will continue to work with the company to ensure it can raise its safety standard to the level required to operate on NSW roads.”