Drug-free drivers positive highlight for Operation Austrans

Police are pleased that a recent operation targeting thousands of heavy vehicles has revealed no drug driving or dangerous driving offences – but say that a large number of infringements for mechanical issues and overloading is disappointing.

During Operation Austrans, which ran from 20 May to 16 June, Police stopped and checked 4185 heavy vehicles across the country, with a focus on targeting road safety issues such as fatigue and vehicle compliance, says National Manager Road Policing, Superintendent Carey Griffiths. Police in Australian jurisdictions also ran similar parallel operations.

The CVIU led the operation, with assistance from a number of other groups, including the Highway Patrol, STU and the CIB.
Among the vehicles checked were 339 coaches and buses, 498 truck and trailer units, 740 articulated trucks, 1383 B-Trains and 1225 rigid trucks.

Overall, Police issued 2013 infringements for a range of issues, with 811 warnings given. However, Supt. Griffiths says the 580 offences issued for maintenance related issues, including various vehicle defects and faults, and the 385 offences detected for loading-related breaches, including exceeding safe load weight limits and dimensions, were disappointing.

View the media release.