Agriculture
19 December, 2023
HARVEST BLITZ ‘Canaries’ slapped on trucks in roadworthy crackdown
FROM OUR DECEMBER 14 2023 EDITION DOZENS of grain trucks have been caught in a Loddon blitz by National Heavy Vehicle Regulator officers last week. Some farmers dodging rains to strip crops have been given seven days to fix what they claim are minor...
FROM OUR DECEMBER 14 2023 EDITION
DOZENS of grain trucks have been caught in a Loddon blitz by National Heavy Vehicle Regulator officers last week.
Some farmers dodging rains to strip crops have been given seven days to fix what they claim are minor faults and have new roadworthy certificates issued.
“That’s putting a truck off the road for at least a day, provided we can get the trucks booked in for a roadworthy,” one said.
Among faults allegedly detected by NHVR compliance officers patrolling the Bridgwater-Serpentine Road were crumpled number plates and bolt thread clearance.
The crackdown is part of Operation Forager that an NHVR spokesperson said was “as an educational on-road safety campaign rather than as a ‘blitz’”.
“Our focus is on improving heavy vehicle road safety through an educational and informative approach” they said.
“NHVR safety and compliance officers will conduct targeted operations to ensure we maintain a safe, efficient and productive heavy vehicle industry serving the needs of Victoria and the wider country.”
Operation Forager has involvement from police, WorkSafe and the Environment Protection Authority.”
NHVR says the number of infringement notices issued will not be released until early next year.
“The majority of operators have been doing the right thing and remain compliant. We have seen some mechanical and fatigue related non-compliance but the majority of these have provided ... officers the opportunity to inform and educate the operator,” the spokesperson said.
“NHVR takes a data-led, intelligence driven approach to compliance and conducts operations at a local, state and national level across different industry sectors.
“Our aim for this operation is to have a strong engagement and education presence – with a focus on promoting safe industry behaviour. We want to reduce the impact of road trauma to keep all road users safe, particularly as the roads get busier in the lead up to Christmas.”
They said NHVR strived to ensure the business impact for the industry was minimal
“We regularly interact directly with operators to discuss ways to improve safety and compliance and we use our social media channels and external publications to promote heavy vehicle safety and educate industry.”