Truckies are in frame

By Lia Bichel
IN LESS than 30 days, police have booked truck drivers for more than 600 offences on Victorian roads, with 4 per cent of those from Casey.
Victoria Police rolled out Operations Austrans at the beginning of May, targeting fatigue, speed, drugs, seatbelt and registration offences. They are also checking driver logbooks, conducting drug searches and inspecting vehicles for roadworthiness.
The nation-wide operation is a heavy vehicle enforcement blitz that has been running annually for 20 years.
During the operation, Casey Police have stopped 94 trucks, issued seven defect notices and booked drivers for 24 offences. Five were for speeding, five were for not wearing seatbelts, and 14 for other offences.
Casey Traffic Management Unit Sergeant Pat McGavigan said he was pleased with the figures. “We found that the majority of truck drivers are generally doing the right things,” Sgt McGavigan said.
“During Operation Austrans we have specific days when we target trucks and look for mechanical safety, work worthiness and whether they are doing the right things, but it is something that we will continue to monitor.”
Throughout Victoria, police have intercepted around 2300 heavy vehicles during the state-wide operation, and have issued 633 infringement notices.
Nineteen drivers were booked for drug-related offences, 70 for not wearing a seatbelt and 46 for speeding.
More than 200 heavy vehicles were issued with defect notices, 136 drivers were nabbed for exceeding the permitted driving hours, and two drivers will lose their licences for exceeding the prescribed blood alcohol concentration.