Heavy vehicle road safety blitz

Police Minister Jo-Ann Miller has praised the dedication of Queensland Police Service traffic officers following the release of results from a four week heavy vehicle road safety blitz.

Minister Miller said the QPS and other authorities had been out in force intercepting more than 10,000 heavy vehicles as part of Operation Austrans 2015.

“The Palaszczuk Government is committed to keeping Queenslanders safe on our roads, and I’m pleased the QPS was once again able to take part in this operation which runs right across Australia and New Zealand every year,” Minister Miller said.

“While we know the vast majority of heavy vehicle drivers do the right thing, it is important that police focus their attention on all groups of road users – so this operation forms part of the QPS strategy to lower the number of crashes involving trucks and other larger vehicles.”

Minister Miller said between May 18 and June 13, police detected 84 incidents of speeding, 31 cases of drivers not wearing seat belts and 26 mobile phone or distraction offences.

“As well, a total of 30 drivers tested positive to a roadside drug test while nine people were charged with drink driving following nearly 7,000 RBTs being conducted,” Minister Miller said.

“Forty-five drug offences including possessing dangerous drugs were detected and police also intercepted 39 unlicensed, suspended or disqualified drivers and 66 were either unregistered and or uninsured.”

Additionally, 56 critical cases of exceeding work or failing to take a required rest break were detected, 78 drivers failed to produce a work diary, 358 drivers failed to complete their work diary, 20 heavy vehicles severely exceeded their mass, and two had loads that severely exceeded the vehicles’ dimensions.

Acting Assistant Commissioner Mike Keating said road safety was everyone’s responsibility and drivers operating heavy vehicles carried greater responsibilities due to the size of their vehicle and the regularity of being on our roads.

“A traffic incident involving a heavy vehicle can have catastrophic consequences, particularly when it involves a smaller vehicle, cyclist or motorbike as the risk of injury or death is significantly higher,” Acting Assistant Commissioner Keating said.
“Drivers of heavy vehicles need to keep more than just the fatal five in mind when travelling across Queensland.

“Failing to take required breaks, not having the necessary paper work and exceeding dimensions and mass loads contributes to a very dangerous driving experience.”

Queensland Trucking Association Ltd (QTA) CEO Peter Garske said: “Operation Austrans 2015 has been an important health check for the heavy vehicle industry within Queensland and across Australia. Clearly the outcome reflects the fact that the vast majority of drivers and operators do so within the law and contribute to positive road safety outcomes.

“QTA congratulates the industry on the level of compliance achieved, while criticising particularly those who drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol, substantially breach driving hours or pay insufficient attention to vehicle maintenance.

“The lives of heavy vehicle drivers, and those of all road users, are at risk from the small number of recidivist offenders.”

[ENDS] June 22 2015

Media contact: Brent Davidson (Minister Miller’s Office) 0438 696 185

Police Media: 3015 2444