A focus on heavy vehicle safety across the South Island has seen over 1000 heavy vehicles stopped and 104 infringement notices issued.
The operation over four days during Road Safety Week (16-22 May 2016) has been a success says Inspector Bruce O’Brien, Commercial Vehicle Investigation Unit Manager.
“The operation was not about issuing infringement notices but about speaking with heavy motor vehicle drivers and reminding them of important safety measures they can take to keep the roads safe for themselves and all road users,” said Mr O’Brien.
During the operation drivers were reminded of the need to be alert at the wheel as fatigue is a serious risk factor for all drivers.
“It is important that motorists know that the big rig coming down the road is safe and road worthy and the driver is sharp and alert. We want all road users to complete their journey without incident and get home to their friends and family unharmed,” said Mr O’Brien.
Infringement notices were issued for a variety of offences from mobile phone use and logbook omissions through to overweight or insecure loads and vehicles failing certificate of fitness standards.
Some of the heavy vehicles stopped were showing signs of poor maintenance with 35 vehicles classed as being unsafe and ordered off the road while for a further 13 vehicles defects were identified that required immediate attention.
The operation was undertaken with other road policing partners and over the four days checkpoints were held in Blenheim, Ashburton, Christchurch City and North Canterbury. Across the four sites 33 infringement notices were issued in Christchurch City, 31 in Blenheim, 21 in North Canterbury and 19 in Ashburton.
PHOTO CAPTION: Vehicles stopped at the Lyttelton Tunnel weigh pits, Christchurch.
ENDS
Media contact: Kelly Mitchell kelly.mitchell@police.govt.nz
Issued by Police Media Centre
