Called Operation Shield, inspectors across NSW will be gauging truckies’ compliance with fatigue rules and ensuring there has been no tampering with speed limiters.

It comes in the wake of the joint RMS-police effort Operation Rolling Thunder, which uncovered drivers hiding their log books and, in one case, a truckie tampering with his speed limiter so the truck could reach 128km/h.

RMS Director of Compliance Roger Weeks said Mt Ousley Road would be one of two areas in the Illawarra to be targeted this week.

“It’s the main route in and out of Wollongong,” Mr Weeks said.

“It’s also the one that presents a significant risk if the truckies don’t get it right.

“It’s where we always have a focus of course but certainly for this operation which is looking at truck driver fatigue that’s a pretty important spot for us to be patrolling.”

Mr Weeks said RMS inspectors would be using mobile patrols on Mt Ousley Road.

The heavy vehicle inspection area on the Princes Highway at Nungarry– between Albion Park Rail and Kiama – will also be staffed by inspectors during the week.

What Operation Rolling Thunder showed Mr Weeks was that most truck drivers were obeying the rules.

“The good news is actually the majority of companies and truckies do the right thing every day,” he said.

“On the basis of our inspections and the infringement notices we issued on that day it showed that 88 per cent were fully safe and compliant and only 12 per cent were non-compliant.

“That’s good news, that’s a pretty significant majority.”