19 October 2015

Minister for Roads, Maritime and Freight Duncan Gay will activate the Joint Heavy Vehicle Task Force today to target overheight vehicles and unsecured loads after a series of recent incidents in Sydney.

"I have had enough of these rogue truckies thinking it is okay to put everyone else on the road at risk because of sloppy operations and reckless behaviour," Mr Gay said.

"In the past few weeks we have had way too many heavy vehicles causing huge delays and significant damage to our infrastructure - enough is enough. These few people put an otherwise professional and vital industry in a poor light.

"I've called on the taskforce, which includes NSW Police and Roads and Maritime Services’ compliance team, to carry out an operation to identify and target companies who are letting trucks out on the road without the relevant checks and balances.

"It's about time this minority realised we are serious about this - they can either get their act together or we will get them off the road - it's pretty simple.

"It won't just be a matter of slapping a fine on those we find are breaking the law.

“Offenders and their companies could be looking at registration and licence suspensions, immediate court attendance notices or directions to clean up their fleets.”

NSW Police Assistant Commissioner John Hartley said the two phase operation would focus on overheight vehicles, speeding, dangerous loading, fatigued drivers, safety at building sites and movement of associated spoil.

“The activation of the taskforce has come after significant road closures, disruption to industry and other issues due to the congestion caused during delays and repair work,” Mr Hartley said.

“Officers will carry out drug testing, load review and driver probity. Immediately following, offending companies will get a visit and be issued improvement, enforcement or prosecution notices as required.”

The operation's first phase will start from today and will continue for five days.

MEDIA:

Vanessa Juresic | Minister Gay | 0419 618 081

NSW Police |Assistant Commissioner Hartley | 8263 6100.

View the original media release