SA Police are today conducting a vehicle compliance operation on Eyre Peninsula as part of an ongoing road safety operation.
Operation Eyre Safe, which has twin objectives of education and enforcement, began in May in the wake of the cessation of the rail transport of grain in the lower Eyre Peninsula.
The end of the rail service is expected to increase in the volume of heavy vehicle traffic on roads within the Eyre Peninsula and into the mid-north of the state.
Today's operation, with the assistance of DPTI Vehicle Inspector officers, members of the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator and specialist SAPOL sections, is taking place at 'The Tanks', a distinctive rest area on the Eyre Peninsula at Lincoln Gap, south of Port Augusta.
Superintendent Paul Bahr, the officer in charge of the Eyre Western Local Service Area (LSA), said police had been promoting road safety education for all motorists in the area all year.
This operation, he noted, was focused on improving road safety through vehicle compliance, detection of drug and alcohol affected drivers and reducing the impact of illicit drug activity within the LSA.
"Today we are targeting all road users, not just heavy vehicles, but we know that there will be a lot of trucks travelling on the Eyre Highway," he said.
"Those drivers can expect to be screened for drugs and alcohol, while also having their drivers licences, work diaries and vehicles checked for compliance in relation to the Motor Vehicles Act, the Road Traffic Act and the Australian Road Rules."
Superintendent Bahr said that large-scale compliance operations will be conducted regularly in the area during the harvest season, with the police keen to promote responsible driving behaviour all road users.
"It is important that everyone play their part," he said. "All drivers need to be patient and give heavy vehicles the room they need to stop and manoeuver.
"Similarly heavy vehicle owners and operators need to comply with the law and ensure their vehicles are roadworthy at all times."
