Freight carriers are facing the crack-down by New Zealand Police who are shifting gears on truck safety for a happy holiday season.
With increasing numbers of heavy vehicles on the roads in the lead up to Christmas, Commercial Vehicle Investigation Police (CVIU) will be working together with other road policing partners, with a focus on preventing and detecting safety issues including vehicle defects, overloading, driver fatigue and impairment.
The inspections were aimed at eliminating the increased risk of drivers travelling greater distances on our roads, CVIU manager Inspector Gwynne Pennell said.
"We want to keep both the drivers of these heavy motor vehicles safe, and also those who share the roads with them," said Ms Pennell.
In recent years, deaths from crashes involving trucks have made up around 20 per cent of the total road toll, while two-thirds of fatal crashes involving trucks are not caused by the driver.
