About 7:40am tomorrow a truck and dog trailer combination was travelling along the Northern Road, St Marys, fully laden with spoil from a construction project, heading towards Penrith, NSW Police say.
As the truck approached the intersection of the Northern Road and Dunheved Road, St Marys, the driver has applied the brakes of the truck, which did not stop, mounting the footpath to avoid a collision with cars stationary at traffic lights.
As a result the truck ran over a traffic control light before coming to a stop.
Joint Traffic Taskforce Officers attended a short time later, escorting the truck and trailer under tow, to the Roads & Maritime Heavy Vehicle Inspection Station at Penrith where, after inspection, major defects were issued for;
* worn tyres
* inoperative / poorly functioning brakes
* engine oil and differential leaks
* loose bumpers
* various loose and missing bolts
The truck and trailer were later towed to the owner’s yard for repairs.
Joint Traffic Taskforce Officers have now commenced further inquiries into the operation of the truck and trailer, along with other vehicles, with further action pending.
Superintendent Stuart Smith, State Operations Commander of the Traffic & Highway Patrol Command said it was fortunate there were no other road users seriously injured, or even killed as a result of this crash.
"Yet another incident involving a truck and dog trailer, fully laden moving construction spoil, no brakes, bald tyres, and other defects, clearly a grave risk on our roads."
"Those operators, drivers, contractors, and others involved must be fully accountable, and take responsibility for their actions. Those that don't should expect their trucks, and fleets to be subject of compliance, and enforcement, in order to ensure the safety of all that use our roads, every day of every week."
"With our truck and dog trailer operations in recent weeks, it is disappointing to see yet another combination in a poor state or repair."
"The continuing risk to the community is unacceptable, and won't be tolerated."
