Victoria Police operation targets truckies
June 15, 2009 by Matt Brogan
Victorian Police have this weekend completed a massive state-wide operation targeting truck drivers in what they say was a successful “blitz on heavy vehicle safety”.
Operation Austrans saw Police intercept over 4500 trucks on popular interstate routes from Friday night with a result of more than 1200 infringement notices being issued.
Drivers were booked for a range of offences including speeding, not wearing a seatbelt, exceeding permitted driving hours, as well as drug and alcohol related offences.
“Drivers of heavy vehicles are required to have a zero blood alcohol level and obviously those affected by drugs are not only breaking the law but are putting other road users at risk,” said Acting Inspector Wayne Cully, of the Road Safety Task Force.
The operation also saw 450 heavy vehicles issued with defect notices.
Source: Herald-Sun
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sounds like the vic state gov’t was running a bit low on coin…
Good on them. These guys on drugs and alcohol are weapons on the road.
They had a story about a similar Operation with the NSW Police and the RTA on TV a couple of weeks ago.
Whilst I agree that inspections are necessary.. there were a number of Police Officers who were definitely going OTT.
Sure they picked up a handful of Truckies for [level 2] Drugs. Yet overall it was almost as if they were handing out infringements because the Truck was wearing Michelins instead of Bridgestones.. That sort of thing.
The police should realise that Truckies earn a living from driving trucks.. Therefore; most of them try to miantain their trucks as often as they can. Yet because of the ridiculous time restraints the transport companies impose on them to getfrom A to B they really have no other option. So why don’t they target the transport companies instead
I think J&H has it right Wheelnut. As much “spin” as they want to put on this being about our safety, the truth is that road users are a cash cow fit for the milking. It’s just truckies copping it this week. Next week it’ll be convertible owners not using sunscreen. There’s always an excuse to milk a few more bucks out of us.
I know a few people who are ex-truckies. They blame the actual raods as the death traps. Driving on a highway for many back to back hours is a long black sleeping pill. They used to only take the drugs to stay alert.
If they pull over for a few hours sleep and their cargo misses the boat they are looking for another job. Hense why they are exceeding the permitted driving hours. Whether there is a law against it or not they will keep driving so they can keep their job for the next load.
Personally I would prefer a truckie to to have a line of speed and be alert than to be falling asleep behind the wheel and taking 4 other cars off the road with them.
Controversial I know but its been happening for years and things haven’t been too bad so far.
Trucks are the scurge of our roads.They are a menace that we dont need.Freight belongs on trains.B-doubles have no place on suburban roads nor many motorways.
Check out the multitude of loooong skid marks on our motorways,always double tyremarks,from a truck.These hoons speed around blind corners with no time to stop if needed,killing our fellow motorists,including our children,wrecking lives.
Give me one other profession that lets young,immature people use a highly deadly weapon on a daily basis,among the general public.
Many good truckies see on a daily basis what I am on about,and will agree with lots of my comments.
Keep up the good work in Victoria,let it spread to all states,and make it a daily occurance please.
Someone voted me down,and I dont like it !
Some people condone Truckies cutting corners as it were,or taking drugs so they can carry on doing their job or get there on time.
O K,I am an electrician,would you like me to take drugs or cut corners when I am wiring your house.If I made a mistake causing the death of one of your loved ones,tell me you would just shrug your shoulders,yeah,thought not.
Think of heaps of other professions that you might enjoy corners being cut,say builders of houses,bridges and on and on.
Maybe you like the idea of a surgeon operating on your kid after popping pills to stay awake for too many hours,and on the list goes.
Driving for a living is a profession,to be carried out in a safe manner,my father was a truckie in Britain in the days when they were considered the Knights of the road,not the scurge.
A pro driver that kills or maims,and is found to be guilty should never be allowed to drive for a living again.
Who-ever keeps voting against my comments,could you please leave a reply letting us know what your thoughts are.
Dont be worried,its anonymous,no-one knows who wrote it,c’mon please,it would be interesting to hear your thoughts on this subject.
I am suprised this topic attracted so few comments,it seems like speed is more popular than safety eh ?
I agree with many of the last 3 comments by Truck Suck.
Why is it that these monsters of the roads seem to think that they can drive in a p!ss poor manner,not indicating,or indicating at the very last minute if your lucky.Driving up peoples dates cos they can see over the top of you seems OK with them.
Phone numbers on the back of all trucks should become compulsary,if enough people complained surely it would have to help.
If it has been proved that brains are not developed till 23,why the hell do they give licences to drive trucks to people below this age.Wait till people are 30 before they can drive a truck,till they have a bit of maturity about them.
I have to agree with the one with allergies, and the one that sucks trucks.
And if you give ME the thumbs down I will chop it off !
Regards Jeremy.