Truckin’ trouble

HEAVY vehicles are in the sights of Greater Dandenong Highway Patrol.
Senior Sergeant Scott Roberts said his team was running Operation Austrans throughout May.
He said they’d be looking out for the usual infringements – like failing to wear seatbelts – as well as checking work diaries.
“We’ll be making sure they’re not exceeding their hours and are taking appropriate breaks,” Sen Sgt Roberts said.
Officers will intercept heavy vehicles and check their loads, restraints and dimensions.
“To make sure they’re going to be safe out there on the roads,” he said.
“They do pose a problem.”
Sen Sgt Roberts highlighted the fatal truck and train collision at Abbott’s Road in 2012.
“I’m not saying specifically that it was the case in this situation, but when drivers are not sticking to regulated hours it causes these sorts of issues, where drivers get terribly fatigued,” he said.
“In some cases they’re taking speed to stay awake and smoking hooch to sleep at the other end.
“Searching the vehicles, you never know what you’re going to come across.”
The operation is back up by VicRoads and is taking place across Australia and New Zealand.
“There’s going to be a real dedicated focus on Greater Dandenong,” Sen Sgt Roberts said.