A BLITZ on Victoria’s grain truck fleet is resulting in large numbers of trucks being declared unroadworthy for what many growers suggest are minor infractions.
Victorian Police confirmed its Heavy Vehicle Unit had handed out 111 infraction notices during a weeklong blitz in Warracknabeal from 28 November to December 2.
A spokesman said along with the defect notices there were seven unroadworthy certificates issued. There have also been inspections of trucks in other areas such as Birchip and Murtoa as part of a crackdown on farm safety which have also resulted in sanctions on truck owners.
Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) president David Jochinke said he had received close to 50 calls this week alone on the issue.
“Farmers are concerned, it is their livelihoods here, their busiest time of the year and they are being forced off the road,” Mr Jochinke said.
Mr Jochinke said he understood safety concerns were paramount, but said stakeholders needed to work better together.
Local truck mechanics in the Wimmera say they are booked up with repair jobs, often for issues as small as paint wear or seat repairs.
In some cases the trucks’ factory settings are being declared unroadworthy, such as in one case where the speed limiter was set at 100.01 kilometres per hour.
“The feedback I am getting has been that the work has not been a collaboration to improve road safety but rather it has been fairly heavy handed,” Mr Jochinke said.
“Many of the farmers I have spoken to have said they felt quite intimidated during the checks.
“We don’t mind the police doing their job and we want safer roads, but we question why they are going about it to the nth degree at this particular time.”
Mr Jochinke said the matter had been referred to the state government. Victoria Police said the Heavy Vehicle Unit was targeting driver fatigue, overloading and roadworthy issues during its operation.
The spokesman said trucks that were not operated all year round often needed repair to meet safety standards.
“A person, who receives a defect notice and requires an extension of time, can do so by contacting the local police to seek such an extension under the heavy vehicle national law.”