Police are focusing on truck safety in Auckland as heavy vehicle movements increase in the lead up to Christmas.
Commercial Vehicle Investigation Police (CVIU) staff will be working together with other road policing partners with a focus on preventing and detecting vehicle defects, overloading, fatigue, impaired driving and other safety issues.
"With Christmas fast approaching the amount of freight that needs to be moved over a short period of time will increase dramatically, putting greater demands on both drivers and vehicles,” says Inspector Gwynne Pennell, Manager CVIU.
“These inspections are aimed at eliminating the increased risk of impaired or tired drivers travelling greater distances on our roads, and ensuring that the vehicles making the journey are safe.”
Because of their large mass, trucks tend to be over-represented in serious crashes. In recent years, deaths from crashes involving trucks have made up 15–19 per cent of the total road toll, while only about 6 per cent of the total distance travelled on New Zealand roads is travelled by trucks.
About two thirds of the fatal crashes involving trucks are not caused by the driver.
“We want to keep both the drivers of these heavy motor vehicles safe, and also those who share the roads with them,” says Inspector Pennell.
“These safety inspections will help contribute towards achieving that.”
ENDS
Media contact: Ross Henderson 04 470 7316.