Operation Catapult - Joint Traffic Taskforce heavy vehicle inspections across Sydney, NSW

The Joint Traffic Taskforce have targeted heavy vehicles in south-west and western Sydney during Operation Catapult, a two-day operation aimed at taking dangerous vehicles off the road, NSW Police say.

Operation Catapult commenced yesterday at 5am and concluded today at 3pm.

During Operation Catapult, the Joint Traffic Taskforce, consisting of officers from the NSW Police Traffic & Highway Patrol Command and Roads and Maritime Inspectors working alongside officers from the Environmental Protection Authority and SafeWork NSW, intercepted truck and dog heavy vehicles at sites on Old Hill Link Road, Sydney Olympic Park, and the M5 at Bexley.

The operation resulted in 75 truck and trailers being inspected, where;

-14 electronic speed limiters downloads were conducted, with four found to be non-compliant,

-22 infringements were issued for various offences, and

-33 defect notices were issued - including two major grounded notices for serious mechanical issues and a non-compliant speed limiter.

Acting Commander of the Traffic & Highway Patrol Command, Assistant Commissioner Michael Corboy said Joint Traffic Task Force operations are run to ensure the safety of all road users.

"The Joint Traffic Task Force will continue these types of operations with the aim of getting dangerous trucks off our roads.

"Our duty is to keep the public safe and to do this we will continue to target and take action against drivers, operators, and company owners who cut corners when it comes to safety.

"We work closely with Roads and Maritime, the Environment Protection Authority and Worksafe NSW to ensure trucks are safe and compliant.

"In two days we found 33 truck and trailer defects and issued 22 infringements. That is simply not good enough.

"If you think you can get away with owning or driving a truck that is not up to scratch, you are wrong," Assistant Commissioner Corboy said.

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