The company that employed a truck driver killed in a fiery crash on the M1 motorway this week has been hit with a series of defect notices on its fleet.
Police officers from the Traffic and Highway Patrol Command and RMS inspectors targeted the Sydney-based company on Wednesday morning, inspecting 16 of its trucks and trailers during a compliance operation.
It was allegedly discovered one trailer had a cancelled registration, and a driver from Queensland had had his driving privileges withdrawn based on other traffic offences.
Two of the trucks were found to have non-compliant Engine Control Modules due to the speed settings, and a major defect notice was issued over a faulty seatbelt.
A further five minor defect notices were issued over a range of mechanical and compliance issues, including defective brakes, inoperative headlights, leaf spring suspension, damaged rear marker plates and an insecure turn table.
The compliance operation was carried out at a heavy vehicle inspection station at Wetherill Park, in Sydney’s west.
"The operation is another warning to operators to be aware they will be targeted and they will be removed from our roads if they are found to be unsafe,” Roads and Maritime Services Director of Compliance Roger Weeks said.
"The recent tragic crashes involving trucks are unacceptable and we will continue to work closely with NSW Police to ensure drivers and companies improve their safety and compliance.”
A man, 50, was killed when three trucks and a car collided on the M1 motorway at Cooranbong on Monday afternoon.
A fireball erupted from an ethanol tanker that burst into flames, igniting a 16-hectare bushfire.
It comes as truck deaths in NSW soar, with an 86 per cent increase in the last 12 months. The Newcastle Herald reported on Tuesday that the Australian Trucking Association had called for a shake-up in the way that truck crashes are investigated.
The Assistant Commissioner of the Traffic and Highway Patrol Command, Michael Corboy, warned all heavy vehicle operators across the state needed to take their safety obligations more seriously.
“To have a double fatality yesterday at Dubbo involving a heavy vehicle, and another three fatalities involving trucks the day before, calls for not only a focus by the Joint Traffic Taskforce, but also the industry,” he said.
“Not only should those trucks and trailers be roadworthy, drivers should be fit and able to drive on our roads in accordance with fatigue management practices.”
