Cement truck company inspected in police, Roads and Maritime Services operation - Unanderra

A company whose vehicle was involved in a fatal crash last week has had its fleet inspected by specialist Highway Patrol officers and Roads and Maritime Services inspectors.

Just after 11am on Thursday 2 May 2019, emergency services were called to the intersection of Willoughby Road and Albany Street, Crows Nest, after reports a pedestrian had been struck by a vehicle.

Police were told a couple were crossing Willoughby Road, when they were struck by a cement truck that was travelling north.

The 82-year-old woman died at the scene, while her 83-year-old husband was taken to Royal North Shore Hospital suffering shock. The 35-year-old truck driver was also taken to hospital for mandatory tests.

The Metropolitan Crash Investigation Unit officers continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash.

As part of the Traffic and Highway Patrol Command's ongoing monitoring of heavy-vehicle compliance, Traffic Task Force officers and inspectors from Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) conducted a heavy-vehicle compliance audit attended at the Unanderra heavy-vehicle checking station yesterday (Thursday 9 May 2019).

Ten vehicles were inspected with six defect infringement notices were issued by RMS Inspectors, relating to broken springs on axles, fuel leaks around the engine bay, brake imbalance and exhaust leaks.

Traffic and Highway Patrol Commander, Assistant Commissioner Michael Corboy, said heavy-vehicle compliance operations aim to improve road safety for all road users.

"We work closely with Roads and Maritime Services – and other industry partners – to ensure trucks are safe and compliant, and we will continue to do so, to keep the community safe," Assistant Commissioner Corboy said.

Roads and Maritime Services Director of Compliance, Roger Weeks, said, "Roads and Maritime inspectors will continue to support police to ensure trucks are safe and compliant."

"NSW Police and Roads and Maritime inspectors will conduct these types of operations whenever there is a major incident on our roads, involving a heavy vehicle," Mr Weeks said.

"These operations are important because they act as a deterrent to everyone involved in the heavy vehicle industry, to make sure they are keeping their trucks in tip top shape and their practices up to scratch.

"Everyone who uses our roads relies on the safe operation of those involved in the heavy vehicle industry and the onus is on owners, operators and drivers to ensure their trucks are safe." .

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