Scrap metal truck drivers in Sydney are being warned to check their loads are secure in a push to reduce incidents that have closed road tunnels across the city.
The New South Government announced today it was contacting scrap metal haulage companies and operators carrying or towing heavy machinery to remind them about taking all preventative measures, including covering loads with a tarp.
The move comes after over-height trucks blocked the Sydney Harbour Tunnel and the city’s Eastern Distributor earlier this week.
It wants to reduce the risk of potential tunnel incidents ahead of the busy Christmas freight period.
Drivers are being reminded that loads must be placed, secured or restrained in a way that meets road regulations.
Since June, 14 of the 33 tunnel closures have been caused by loose and protruding scrap metal or trucks carrying construction machinery that tripped a height sensor.
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Six-month rego suspensions have been introduced to send a clear message to the owners and operators of heavy vehicles, while truck drivers face a $4,097 fine and 12 demerit points.
Roads Minister John Graham said most truck drivers and operators were following the rules, but some were not getting the message.
“It is the responsibility of those truckies and the companies they operate on behalf of to know the height of their load and have it properly restrained so that a single piece of protruding metal does not bring traffic to its knees when a truck needs to be stopped and backed out of a tunnel entrance.
“Sydney motorists lost patience with over-height breaches long ago and our message to those truckies still doing the wrong thing is clear: know your load, know your route or face the consequences of fines, demerit point and your truck being off the road for six months earning no income.”
There have been 102 over-height truck incidents to date in 2023, compared with 161 last year.
