Much the same spirit.
Roderick.
VicRoads cracking down on truck drivers who contribute to peak-hour congestion chaos.
Herald Sun July 7, 2018.
video: Infrastructure Victoria transport modelling.
AUTHORITIES have launched a crackdown on badly behaved big rigs as surging truck numbers create a mammoth congestion challenge on Victorian roads.
Since 2013, the number of registered vehicles weighing over 4.5 tonnes has risen by 62 per cent, while car registrations grew by 8.9 per cent over the same period.
The influx of trucks has forced VicRoads staff to clamp down on the vehicles that clog up Melbourne’s gridlocked arterials.
“We’re really escalating it very quickly,” Transport Safety Services metropolitan manager Russell Greenland said.
“We found that some businesses were building fines and infringements into their bottom line and accepting that as a cost of business.
“Now we’re actually grounding vehicles and saying they won’t be moved until the issues are rectified.”
Trucks line up to get onto the Westgate Freeway. Picture: David Crosling Mr Greenland said on average his team issued 227 fines to heavy vehicles every month.
“Most drivers do the right thing, but we’re trying to target the top 2 per cent who constantly offend,” he said.
“Our new approach is that if you break down on our freeways you are going to be on our list. The first visit will be educational and friendly, but you will not want us to get come back that second or third time. We will look at everything you do.”
Victorian Transport Association CEO Peter Anderson said trucks were an essential part of the state’s supply chain, but more could be done to help ease the traffic burden.
“We want graded arterial roads in the metropolitan area,” he said.
“If you have a clear system of roads marked as clearways compared to roads with parking you will see trucks encouraged to go down the best routes and ease congestions.
“The requirement of freight to move through our society is part of the standard of living we currently enjoy.”
Mr Anderson said Victoria was also overdue for major reforms in driver training to improve skills.
The Yates family: Liam 8, Sophia 5, Mel and Glen on Somerville Road in Yarraville. Picture: Nicole Garmston In suburbs close to the Port of Melbourne, residents are witnessing the explosion in truck numbers.
“The condition of Somerville Rd is now becoming a big issue and drivers are flouting curfews,” Yarraville local Glen Yates said.
“Just trying to enter the road during peak times is difficult and that’s when trucks are not supposed to be there.
“All we ask is for three hours a day for our kids to get to and from school. I don’t think that’s a big ask.”
Minister for Roads and Ports Luke Donnellan said major projects such as the West Gate Tunnel and North East Link were needed to get trucks off local roads.
“We are also working closely with the freight industry over a range of projects, such as the Port Rail Shuttle, the Western Intermodal Frieght Terminal and Murray Basin Rail Project, to shift more containers from road to rail,” he said.
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