A COMPANY has been sanctioned for allowing two unsafe vehicles to be driven in the wake of a serious crash at Fairy Meadow, near Wollongong, yesterday. 

This morning officers from the NSW Police Traffic and Highway Patrol Traffic Task Force with the assistance of Roads and Maritime Inspectors, began inspecting the vehicles from the company’s fleet at the RMS Wetherill Park Inspection Station.

The operation resulted in the company’s fleet of 10 heavy vehicles being inspected, where all vehicles received a defect notice ranging from issues with defective brakes and bald tyres to issues with seatbelts.

Traffic and Highway Patrol Command, Assistant Commissioner Julie Middlemiss said these operations were conducted to ensure the safety of all road users.

“It doesn’t matter what kind of vehicle it is – if it is found to be unsafe then it has no place on our roads,” Acting Assistant Commissioner Middlemiss said.

“We will continue to work with Roads and Maritime Inspectors to inspect trucks that are on our road and issue defect notices and infringements to any owner or operator that is using an unsafe truck or dangerous driver.

“Authorities make no apologies for issuing sanctions against drivers and operators that think it’s okay to put people’s lives at risk by cutting corners when it comes to safety.”

Roads and Maritime Services Director of Compliance Roger Weeks said the 10 defect notices issued for the 10 trucks inspected was not encouraging.

“The results are a reminder that while most operators are doing the right thing, some are willing to risk the lives of people on our roads,” Mr Weeks said.

“All of these examples are a serious incident waiting to happen, which is why we will continue to work with the NSW Police to weed out those who are either unwilling or unable to do the right thing.

“Safety will always be our highest priority and we will continue to work with industry to ensure compliance levels can be lifted and systemic safety failures are stamped out.

“But make no mistake, if they are found to be breaching the law, Roads and Maritime will ensure they are held accountable for their actions with the full force of the law.”

“There is nowhere to hide for rogue truck operators.”

Yesterday’s crash occurred about 10.50am when a rigid flat-bed truck was being driven down Old Mount Ousley Road and the driver lost control of the vehicle.

The truck travelled through the roundabout at the intersection with the Princes Highway, where it collided with a Honda CRV being driven by an 18-year-old woman.

The truck continued through the fence of a fast food restaurant, colliding with several parked cars, and hitting the front of a Hyundai, which was occupied by a 57-year-old woman who was sitting in the driver’s seat. She was eventually freed and taken to Wollongong Hospital with possible broken ribs.

The 18-year-old driver of the CRV was taken to Wollongong Hospital with minor injuries.

The 23-year-old male driver of the truck was also taken to Wollongong Hospital with back injuries. A mandatory blood sample was obtained.

See more at https://www.bigrigs.com.au.