Police target truckies in Australia wide blitz

[Roverlord off road spares]

Operation Austrans Phase Two | Victoria Police News (https://www.vicpolicenews.com.au/news/operation-austrans-phase-two)

[Tins]

Operation Austrans Phase Two | Victoria Police News (https://www.vicpolicenews.com.au/news/operation-austrans-phase-two)

Happens every year. Time to take hols if you are a truckie.

[Roverlord off road spares]

Happens every year. Time to take hols if you are a truckie.

Time to take holidays LOL.
Reminds me of what a local told me about the bakery at Mallacoota. Mallacoota is a tiny population town, but it swells with the explosion of holiday makers eager to spend their money. The smart shop holder would take advantage of this and cash in whilst the feast is there to make up for the lean times. Not the baker, he shuts up and goes on holidays.[bigrolf]

[Bigbjorn]

There has been deliberate petty enforcement of minor regulations and harassment of truckies ever since interstate transport got going in the 1950's. Little Hitlers enjoying throwing their weight around. Easy targets, truckies. One icehole did get his one night. The "Terror of the Tweed" got run over.

[cripesamighty]

Some, but not all, definitely deserve the 'mermaid' title.

[Eevo]

There has been deliberate petty enforcement of minor regulations and harassment of truckies ever since interstate transport got going in the 1950's. Little Hitlers enjoying throwing their weight around. Easy targets, truckies. One icehole did get his one night. The "Terror of the Tweed" got run over.


in SA 3% tested positive for meth. i think thats scary.

[Wraithe]

Where did you get this 3% positive tests in SA, Eeevo...

4 out of 173 in Vic...

[donh54]

I don't have any issues with the drug testing, or lifetime loss of heavy vehicle license for the brain donors caught doing 140 k's in a b double (or even a single for that matter). But with all the technology they have at their disposal, why do they have so much trouble sorting the sheep from the goats?
The system of randomly selecting a truck, then, once the driver is cleared of impaired driving, his logbook checks out okay, then they start nit-picking, looking for something to fine you for.
I had one of them advise me that the brakes on the trailer "looked to him" like they were out of adjustment. He hadn't been under the trailer.
I got a 9/16 spanner out, slid under and checked them. Told him they were fine. He handed me a defect notice for the brakes.
I asked him if he was recording our conversation, he said no, and I told him I was, and that I would see him in court in due course, as his assessment of the condition of the brakes was blatantly wrong.
A few months later, I got a notice from the RTA that, due to my previously good driving record, they had decided not to proceed with the charge.
But apparently, according to some, if you do nothing wrong, you have nothing to fear!

[Eevo]

Where did you get this 3% positive tests in SA, Eeevo...

4 out of 173 in Vic...

article last night on adelaide now. 15 out of 500 tested

[Eevo]

No Cookies | The Advertiser (http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/law-order/truckies-caught-drug-driving-and-many-had-vehicles-defected-during-nationwide-blitz/news-story/1936f6c68c25ea6af62ec1e8d466afb9)

[Gordie]

article last night on adelaide now. 15 out of 500 testedYes, the stats get 'milked' a bit as usual. They only test the ones they suspect, not every truckie gets tested. Would be more like 15 out of 1000 trucks stopped. And as with every industry, there are always going to be the small minority that do the wrong thing.

[Gordie]

But apparently, according to some, if you do nothing wrong, you have nothing to fear! Agreed, and I have seen it first hand where an over-zealous officer, caught up in the whirlwind of trying to provide stats for the operation(which they are under pressure to get) will give an infringement notice for something that was later proved in court as incorrect. The PROBLEM is, that the truckie has to appear in court to contest said infringement, in the area which he was alleged to have offended. Which often means(for interstaters) the truckie has to take time off work, fly to that location and defend a fine which might have been $500. It costs the truckie way too much to do so, so he chooses just to pay the fine and move on. Justice denied.

[LRT]

This is the most recent complaint in Big Rigs:

[Eevo]

Yes, the stats get 'milked' a bit as usual. They only test the ones they suspect, not every truckie gets tested. Would be more like 15 out of 1000 trucks stopped. And as with every industry, there are always going to be the small minority that do the wrong thing.

i dont care if they pulled over 100,000 trucks. 15 is 15 too many.

[Gordie]

i dont care if they pulled over 100,000 trucks. 15 is 15 to many.And I agree....but my point was that they like to sensationalise the stats. For some reason, truck drivers in Australia are generally demonised.

[Eevo]

For some reason, truck drivers in Australia are generally demonised.

you have seen the garden grove thread right?

[Gordie]

you have seen the garden grove thread right?Thankyou...you have proved my point exactly...a whole industry judged by the deeds of a few idiots. I have worked in all sorts of industries, including some that are supposedly staffed by upstanding reputable people...but I have found idiots in each of those industries. Don't judge the majority by the actions of the minority.

[Eevo]

Thankyou...you have proved my point exactly...a whole industry judged by the deeds of a few idiots. I have worked in all sorts of industries, including some that are supposedly staffed by upstanding reputable people...but I have found idiots in each of those industries. Don't judge the majority by the actions of the minority.

it's no different to car drivers. and yes, i think more drug testing should be done on car drivers too.

[Wraithe]

article last night on adelaide now. 15 out of 500 tested

I would not believe a word of that article... The statistics are all over the place...

Like the last paragraph about last years blitz, 4400+ and then they state nearly half arrested, reported or issued... Then it state 774 cautions...

When you start reading all that crap you know full well its far from the truth, so far its just about falling off the cliff...

A caution means nothing, when it comes to being cautioned by police or heavy vehicle cops, thats because they havent got anything to actually charge you so they act all tough and caution you...
Any fine in heavy vehicles is double the norm for car drivers and if they find you have put the pen in the wrond place on your dashboard, they will charge you...
Same as log book faults, the east counts the hours back, not for one day, but for weeks back and can find you for one little hiccup...

Here in WA our books are based on 24 hrs and the break in between starts it again, not counted back for each day, counting the current...

Media do love writing fiction to justify there support to get stories, pity they dont tell the truth...Like how many break ins in the last 24 hrs or the number of elderly assaulted!

[Wraithe]

Interesting about how car drivers drive down the road drunk and on drugs, cause major accidents(thus they get caught) and yet the blitz's on car drivers are few and far between...

They dont block whole highways for a week because of car drivers, but they do for trucks...

They dont make cars drive across camera sights and check they are doing the right thing(Imagine and whole highway of cars, inspected and checked like the weigh bridges)...

But the media and powers that be attack trucks....

If your a truck driver, your a criminal, if you think I am being an idiot saying that, no I have been told that by cops, all truck drivers are crims... How many truckies here, have also been told that...
Its a bit like, cops are only doing there job... Interesting, I have been party to 2 being transfered and one being sacked, so are they really just doing there job?


Lets see, imagine what would happen if trucks where banned from the road...

Bit like being an ex-soldier, ex-soldiers are lazy no different to a crim, always whinging and wanting to be paid for nothing... No one leaves the service injured, they always fix them...

Why do people always pick on certain groups? Maybe the problem starts at the head of this country and all the %^&$ just flows down hill, making people no different and whinging about anything that can make them feel good...

It would be nice if society did not follow the gov and media but instead looked at helping instead of blaming...

[Eevo]

I would not believe a word of that article... The statistics are all over the place...


how about news from the police themselves?

https://www.police.sa.gov.au/sa-police-news-assets/front-page-news/seventeen-truck-drivers-test-positive-for-drugs#.Wh5DS0qWZag


During a nationwide blitz on the heavy transport industry, South Australia Police pulled over hundreds of truck drivers yesterday (Monday 27 November) to conduct random screenings and checks.

Of the 527 drivers who were required to undergo drug screening tests, 17 returned positive readings – 15 of which were positive for Methylamphetamine. One of those drivers also tested positive for THC (cannabis), while two others tested positive for THC alone.
“These are professional drivers who not only have a responsibility to themselves and their families, but to their employer, other road users and the community in general to do the right thing,” Inspector Ben Spencer, from the SAPOL Traffic Support Branch, said.
“They are certainly all old enough to know better with a dozen of them aged 40 or older – old enough to have children using the same roads they are driving on.
“Drugs have an impairing impact on physical and cognitive functioning, therefore impairing their ability behind the wheel, the awareness of their surroundings and influencing decision making and risk taking.
“There has been a lot of positive work done in the industry to reduce drug driving and the majority of heavy vehicle operators are doing the right thing.
“However, there are still rogue companies that are doing little to change this – and this must change.
“Heavy vehicle drivers who use drugs to combat fatigue threaten the safety of all other road users.”
Yesterday’s blitz, which is part of Operation Austrans, also saw police issue 70 expiations notices, 42 defect notices and report 10 drivers for a range of offences.
Operation Austrans, which is a compliance and enforcement operation, is a nationally co-ordinated road safety strategy focused on heavy vehicles. It has been conducted annually since 1989.
For the first time this year’s operation has been conducted in two phases, with a total of 4449 vehicles pulled over in the first two weeks (from March 20 to April 1).
From those, 34 drivers returned a positive drug swab, two were detected drink driving and nearly 2000 were arrested, reported or issued with an expiation notice for a range of offences.
SA Police also issued 774 cautions for a range of offences ranging from insufficient load restraint to diary or defect issues.
“Through targeted policing we aim to improve safety in the heavy vehicle industry and reduce opportunities for illegal activity,” said Inspector Spencer.
“We use a wide range of police resources to target major arterial routes across the state, as well as working with partner agencies such as the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) and Safe Work SA.
“Driver fatigue in the heavy vehicle industry is a major road safety concern.
“While most heavy vehicle operators are doing the right thing, a number of operators aren’t and it is those operators that Operation Austrans targets.”

[Wraithe]

how about news from the police themselves?

https://www.police.sa.gov.au/sa-police-news-assets/front-page-news/seventeen-truck-drivers-test-positive-for-drugs#.Wh5DS0qWZag

""For the first time this year’s operation has been conducted in two phases, with a total of 4449 vehicles pulled over in the first two weeks (from March 20 to April 1).
From those, 34 drivers returned a positive drug swab, two were detected drink driving and nearly 2000 were arrested, reported or issued with an expiation notice for a range of offences.
SA Police also issued 774 cautions for a range of offences ranging from insufficient load restraint to diary or defect issues.""

So what the Police are saying is that in the first phase, 3008 of 4449 drivers are criminals and should not be driving...

Thats says to me, that you have the worst truck drivers in the country and they should ban trucks from SA roads to protect the public...

Be honest, you cant tell me that 75% of SA truck drivers are breaking the law daily....

[Eevo]

Thats says to me, that you have the worst truck drivers in the country and they should ban trucks from SA roads to protect the public...

now theres an idea!



Be honest, you cant tell me that 75% of SA truck drivers are breaking the law daily....


having talked to my local sarge about trucks (he works traffic) in the past. 75% having something wrong with their vehicle is about correct.

[Gordie]

now theres an idea!




having talked to my local sarge about trucks (he works traffic) in the past. 75% having something wrong with their vehicle is about correct.rubbish.

[Wraithe]

now theres an idea!.

So you wold be content to walk everywhere and have empty shops, no food, no electricity, no fuel, no clothes, no job, no prospects and no life





having talked to my local sarge about trucks (he works traffic) in the past. 75% having something wrong with their vehicle is about correct.

There is something majorly wrong with your states rules if the police can find 75% of the heavy vehicles having something wrong with them. You will probably find more than that wrong with emergency vehicles too under your current system, then!

I have relatives in SA, they are kind of weird in that state, what you have pointed out, just backs up what I think about my rellies..

[Gordie]

that local sgt has obviously been to one of the police brainwashing courses, also known as heavy vehicle enforcement duties course, where their opening line is "90% of truckies are on drugs and have gang links". Once again, rubbish.

[Eevo]

So you wold be content to walk everywhere and have empty shops, no food, no electricity, no fuel, no clothes, no job, no prospects and no life

sounds just like WA :)





There is something majorly wrong with your states rules if the police can find 75% of the heavy vehicles having something wrong with them. You will probably find more than that wrong with emergency vehicles too under your current system, then!

I have relatives in SA, they are kind of weird in that state, what you have pointed out, just backs up what I think about my rellies..

most of the things found are minor. but about once a fortnight he comes across a truck with bad brakes. i think that's scary.

ha, i actually drive a fire truck and we were talking today about that. in the last 4-6 weeks we've had 2 or 3 vehicles taken off duty due to rust in the chassis.

[Eevo]

that local sgt has obviously been to one of the police brainwashing courses, also known as heavy vehicle enforcement duties course, where their opening line is "90% of truckies are on drugs and have gang links". Once again, rubbish.
he did used to work heavy vehicle enforcement duties. i think most police courses are brainwashing.

[Stuck]

The system of randomly selecting a truck, then, once the driver is cleared of impaired driving, his logbook checks out okay, then they start nit-picking, looking for something to fine you for.


Humble pie mustn't taste as good as donuts.

[Wraithe]

sounds just like WA :)

ha, i actually drive a fire truck and we were talking today about that. in the last 4-6 weeks we've had 2 or 3 vehicles taken off duty due to rust in the chassis.

Considering the amount of water mixed with chems to assist with fire control, then a little rust in the chassis is not abnormal...

Any vehicle with double or triple rails will have rust between the rails after working... These rails have to have give, thus steel rubbing against steel will allow moisture and air to promote corrosion...

But remember, just because there is rust, it dont mean it has weakened in any way... I have yet to find a vehicle with multiple rails, that has enough rust to stop it working... In fact the ones I have split and repaint had more problems in wear and tear plus cracks around the rivets, which was the main reason for splitting them...

If chassis rails have that much rust that they are weakened, then you will probably find they are either paddock trucks or museum pieces, sitting around rusting away...

As for fire trucks, you would have to have some pretty old gear to have enough corrosion in the chassis to make it unsafe to use...

Most things I find wrong with my vehicles, the police would never spot... If I find a problem that is a safety risk, I wont drive the vehicle until I have repaired it... 1 clearance light with a broken globe is the biggest load of bull used to put a unroadworthy sticker on.(to be honest, you could have double the lights on a vehicle, all working and you will still have some mug run into you and say "I didnt see the truck".. Thats what was told to me by an idiot that over 6 vehicles(including police car) and ran into my trailer, cop called my truck a christmas tree on wheels).. If a light isnt working, then give someone time to fix it.. Most of the time, they break when driving and you dont see them..

[Eevo]

A truck driver returned a positive drug test after two trucks crashed in the Adelaide Hills overnight.


Just after 4am, police were called to the South Eastern Freeway at St Ives after a prime mover crashed into the back of a b-double.


Both drivers were tested for drugs and alcohol, and the driver of the b-double tested positive to methamphetamine.

[Bigbjorn]

"plus cracks around the rivets,"

The better class of truck have high tensile bolts, Nyloc nuts, hardened washers in reamed holes. Cheap and nasty trucks have rivets.

[BMKal]

A truck driver returned a positive drug test after two trucks crashed in the Adelaide Hills overnight.


Just after 4am, police were called to the South Eastern Freeway at St Ives after a prime mover crashed into the back of a b-double.


Both drivers were tested for drugs and alcohol, and the driver of the b-double tested positive to methamphetamine.

Sounds like it was the driver who WASN'T on drugs who ran up the arse of the other one ............ does that tell you anything ???

[Eevo]

Sounds like it was the driver who WASN'T on drugs who ran up the arse of the other one ............ does that tell you anything ???

2 truckies doing the wrong thing, lets get both off the road

[Wraithe]

"plus cracks around the rivets,"

The better class of truck have high tensile bolts, Nyloc nuts, hardened washers in reamed holes. Cheap and nasty trucks have rivets.

Most of the old trucks came out rivetted... Rivets can be quite strong if applied correctly, but time and movement causes the issues and then bolted when split and remounted...

Bolted chassis's where mostly for convenience in the old trucks as rivveting was a slow expensive process...

Considering our technology now, bolts are a lot stronger than before...

The other thing to consider is the Chassis rails, they are a lot stronger and lighter too... My old R series Mack had more twists and turns in the chassis than most of the winding roads in the Sth West... But alas, she was built in 1970 and worked the Darwin run, on the dirt for a long time before I got her...

[Bigbjorn]

Most of the old trucks came out rivetted... Rivets can be quite strong if applied correctly, but time and movement causes the issues and then bolted when split and remounted...

Bolted chassis's where mostly for convenience in the old trucks as rivveting was a slow expensive process...

Considering our technology now, bolts are a lot stronger than before...

The other thing to consider is the Chassis rails, they are a lot stronger and lighter too... My old R series Mack had more twists and turns in the chassis than most of the winding roads in the Sth West... But alas, she was built in 1970 and worked the Darwin run, on the dirt for a long time before I got her...

Cheap mass produced trucks and light duty trucks were and are riveted. They also punch the rivet holes. They don't drill and ream them. The USA custom builders (White, Western Star, Autocar, KW, Peterbilt, Freightliner, Brockway, Marmon, Oshkosh etc) have used HT bolts for at least 50 years to my sure knowledge. Also they all have been using heat treated high tensile rails of chrome moly manganese steel for ever. Dana make everybody's rails. The whole idea of using HT rails is that they are not only lighter but withstand a lot of flexing. Rigid bridge girder type chassis of low quality steel were favoured by the euro manufacturers until quite recent times. These do not like to flex and will crack and break. The days of triple channel rails with an outside flitch like Leyland Super Hippo and Albion Buffalo are long gone.

Edit - some of these makes were certainly using HT bolts and reamed holes in WW2. I have seen propaganda films of the period.

[Pickles2]

"R Model Mack"..Maxidyne or Themodyne, gold dog or silver dog?....I've sold a few of them,...absolutely a legend truck, still a market for them today.
Anyway, IMHO, "Truckies" these days are IMHO, amongst the best category of drivers on the road. I've never driven a truck, never owned one, but I've dealt with thousands of owner drivers ,.....hardest working people I've ever met.
I love my driving, love long drives/trips, & I tell you what, my issues ain't with truckies,...very rarely see any bad stuff from a truckie these days,.......can I say the same about car drivers,...NOPE,....I cannot,....unlike truckies, their driving standards/ABILITY are considerably worse, and getting even more WORSE.
Ya'll hear nothing against ya hard working truckie from me.
And as far as "blitzes" RWC roadside checks on trucks etc, it's been said many times, if ya want to be "picky" enough almost any car on the road could be knocked off for RWC issues.
Leave the truckies alone I say.
Pickles.

[DiscoMick]

I agree. I rarely see a trucker doing anything that concerns me, but almost every day I see muppets in cars.

[Eevo]

so i spoke to the local sarge tonight about your thoughts about easy targets cause you live interstate.
he didnt mince his words:
dont come into our state and break the law.

he also said this year truckies had been very good compared to previous years.

[trout1105]

I agree. I rarely see a trucker doing anything that concerns me, but almost every day I see muppets in cars.

The "Muppets" in cars don't drive for a living nor are they in control of something in excess of 30 tons.
Truckies drive as part of their profession and I agree that the vast majority have superior driving skills to the average commuter.
I also believe that the vast majority of truckies would like to see ALL the "Muppets" that drive their trucks under the influence of drugs or alcohol permanently removed from their role as a truck driver.
Most work places have a Zero tolerance for drugs and alcohol and I cannot understand the moaning about these truckies that drive under the influence getting busted.
There are regular booze and drug blitzes So what's so different when truckies are targeted as well??

[Eevo]

Most work places have a Zero tolerance for drugs and alcohol
as I understand, a large percentage of truckies work for themselves.

[trout1105]

as I understand, a large percentage of truckies work for themselves.

They won't be doing that for too long if they get Busted [bigwhistle]

[Mick_Marsh]

I agree. I rarely see a trucker doing anything that concerns me, but almost every day I see muppets in cars.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2017/12/135.jpg

[rover-56]

Well I do a Bairnsdale to Melbourne run regularly and I have yet to see a truck driver doing the wrong thing. Always at the speed limit, always signal their intent in good time, never a sudden change in direction ( other than to avoid a car driver) . I travel at 90kmh because I have to, Defender won't hold 100kmh on hills, and have never had an experience of being intimidated by a truck driver.
Police would be better serving the public if they pull over no truck drivers and most car drivers for safety checks. Trouble is idiot behavior is sudden and the police are never there at the time.
Terry

[bee utey]

It's only a few truckies that spoil it for the rest, but those few need caught.

https://www.police.sa.gov.au/sa-police-news-assets/front-page-news/truck-driver-arrested-at-tailem-bend

[trout1105]

It's only a few truckies that spoil it for the rest, but those few need caught.

SAPOL -
Truck driver arrested at Tailem Bend (https://www.police.sa.gov.au/sa-police-news-assets/front-page-news/truck-driver-arrested-at-tailem-bend)

This "Germ" had already lost his licence and yet that didn't stop him from driving under the influence of drugs and other offences so clearly a further suspension is pointless because the last one had zero effect, This vermin needs to do time and to be stripped of his heavy vehicle licence so that he cannot endanger the public again.
Maybe a national registry for these sort of offenders would help to keep them out of the trucking industry in which 99% of the operators are highly professional and don't deserve to have their reputations tarnished by these "Cowboys"

[Eevo]

its hard to feel sorry for them.



A truck driver has been reported following an incident on the South Eastern Freeway today.Just before 10.30am on Thursday 7 December, State Traffic Motorcycles were at the bottom of the Freeway at Glen Osmond as part of Operation Austrans.
At that time, police located a Kenworth B-double parked on the southern side of Cross Road with smoke coming from the brakes on the trailers.
The driver, a 27-year-old man from Western Australia had to negotiate an emergency left turn onto Cross Road after his brakes had failed and he was travelling too fast to turn right onto Portrush Road.
He was reported for fail to drive in low gear and fail to carry safety equipment and will be summonsed to appear in court at a later date.
The B-double was taken to the Vehicle Inspection Station where it underwent an inspection and was defected for roadworthy brakes.



same intersection where 4 people died due to a truck going too fast.

[mrapocalypse]

I thought the cops and scaleys were constantly in blitz mode....

Doesn't pay to have a grubby industry.... but it also doesn't improve things when you see government officials on a power trip.

I'm sure these days that that ratio of drug use reflects society in general. Sadly a few rotten apples see all truckies getting lumped into the same boat..... truth is the vast majority are decent human beings who keep the country running. It's generally a thankless and difficult job.

It's all too easy for housewives and keyboard warriors to hit what might be soft targets.

I.

[Mick_Marsh]

Truckies should be scrutinised.
I am subject to alcohol and drug testing in my workplace, why shouldn't they?

Mind you, often you hear stories of the authorities being unreasonable and over the top. I experienced it myself when a police woman threatened to shoot me. Then, my almost 80yo mother got out of the car and gave her the what for. The police woman then wanted to book me for a bent number plate. What my mother then said to the police woman could be distilled down to "You need glasses." but it took much longer.

Another thing on trucks that I was thinking about just last week, they often drive at me over double white lines. Just over, about six inches. I move over to the left and give them as much room as I can. The roads I travel are rather narrow and usually have rather large pot holes or damage on the left shoulder.

[350RRC]

..................... The roads I travel are rather narrow and usually have rather large pot holes or damage on the left shoulder.

Can relate to that. One of my 'favourites' is the road from Skipton to Geelong, exactly as you describe. Gets thrashed by B doubles carrying wheat and logs to Geelong from the north. Cars aren't causing the damage.

Mt William Rd is another. Never had a problem with the truck drivers on either road though.

cheers, DL

[Eevo]

only a few truckies....

No Cookies | The Advertiser (http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/trucks-in-sa-to-face-regular-tougher-checks-after-alarming-safety-fails/news-story/b3439ff5c9b5c09f2fa9381032d0d564)


TRUCKS registered in South Australia will face stringent, regular checks after “alarming” safety failures were found in hundreds of vehicles, the State Government has announced.


More than 500 of the 900 big rigs inspected during a trial scheme were unroadworthy, including more than 100 with faulty brakes.

bla bla bla




WHAT THE TRIAL SAFETY SCHEME FOUND
900 trucks inspected.


A failure rate of 58 per cent (522 trucks).


151 had faulty lights or reflectors.


Just more than 100 of trucks had issues with brakes.



dont care about lights, small issue. 10% having issues with brakes is a huge problem.

[donh54]

How many were simply out of adjustment? Wonder how many had "self-adjusting" slack adjusters fitted? Also, how many of the drivers had any idea how to adjust brakes. They don't cover that in the 2-day "training" courses a lot of drivers did to get their licence.