More than 130 traffic offences were detected in the northern suburbs over the last two days as police steer their focus towards heavy vehicles.
Fawkner Highway Patrol and local police intercepted more than 315 vehicles as part of the two-day operation which targeted heavy vehicle safety and compliance on freeways and major arterials.
Police conducted vehicle checks and drug and alcohol testing at static sites and used Automatic Numberplate Recognition Technology to scan more than 34,000 vehicles while roaming the area.
As a result of the operation, police detected:
• 6 drug drivers
• 21 speeding offences
• 20 unroadworthy vehicles
• 7 mobile phone offences
• 16 unregistered vehicles
Police also issued a series of infringement notices to heavy vehicle drivers that had unsecured loads.
This included a truck driver who on Tuesday was found to be driving without a seatbelt on.
The next day he was randomly intercepted by police and was found to be driving without having properly secured his load.
He also allegedly tested positive for cannabis.
The operation followed police intelligence which indicates there were 213 heavy vehicle collisions in the Fawkner area over the last year, with main arterial roads recording the highest number of collisions.
The main issues Fawkner Highway Patrol have seen with heavy vehicles over the last year include industry compliance and speeding. There were 15 heavy vehicle drug drivers detected over the last year.
Operation Broom ran in the northern suburbs between 22-23 August.
It focused on areas with high volume of heavy vehicle traffic, including Bulla Road, Calder Freeway, Hume Highway, Mickleham Road, Pascoe Vale Road, Somerton Road and Tullamarine Freeway.
Fawkner Highway Patrol will continue to run targeted operations to address road safety.
Quotes attributable to Fawkner Highway Patrol Senior Sergeant Megan Cartledge:
“It was disappointing to see six drivers behind the wheel of a truck while on drugs. We all know this behaviour can lead to absolutely devastating consequences.
“Trucking companies and their drivers are responsible for ensuring compliance with ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Heavy Vehicle Law – these standards are in place to ensure the safety of everyone on our roads.
“A heavy vehicle with safety issues creates an enormous risk to both the driver of that vehicle and other road users.
“While the majority do the right thing, we’re imploring drivers to check their vehicle is safe and loads are secure before taking to the roads. This simple action could save a life.”
