Drivers and owners of scrap metal trucks and those carrying or towing heavy machinery are being put on notice to check and secure their loads as the Minns Labor government seeks an end to over-height incidents in Sydney's tunnel network ahead of the busy Christmas freight season.
Since the government launched its zero-tolerance approach to over-height breaches in June, almost half of all incidents that closed a tunnel have been due to loose and protruding scrap metal or trucks carrying construction machinery and equipment that tripped a height sensor.
Fourteen of 33 tunnel closures have involved the scrap or machinery haulage sectors, with Transport for NSW and the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) now tasked with intervening to find solutions in partnership with those freight operators and their representatives.
Transport is contacting all scrap metal haulage companies with an over-height education toolkit that reinforces the need for companies and drivers to ensure all preventative measures, including covering loads with a tarp.
Drivers are reminded that loads must be placed, secured or restrained in a way that meets the loading performance standards in schedule 7 of the Heavy Vehicle National Regulation.
In an agreement struck with the NHVR in June, Transport for NSW now leads all investigations into 'aggravated' over-height breaches and has taken 15 heavy vehicles off the road through suspended registrations as a consequence.
Six-month rego suspensions were introduced to send a clear message to the owners and operators of heavy vehicles, while truck drivers face a $4097 fine and 12 demerit points.
Sydney drivers have been given a reminder of the frustrating consequences of over-height incidents over recent days, with traffic affected by trucks being removed from the Sydney Harbour Tunnel and Eastern Distributor on Tuesday and Wednesday.
There have been 102 over-height incidents so far in 2023 which is down on the 161 total recorded in 2022.
Minister for Roads John Graham said:
"The vast majority of truck drivers and operators always do the right thing, but we are not going to let the busy traffic season coming into Christmas be marred by over-height trucks closing tunnels and delaying Sydney motorists. That's why we are issuing a call to scrap metal haulers and those moving machinery across the city.
"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 6 months earning no income."
National Heavy Vehicle Regulator CEO Sal Petroccitto said:
"The NHVR has zero tolerance for over-height trucks entering tunnels in NSW, with non-compliant vehicles posing a serious risk to the safety of road users and threatening to cause significant traffic delays and damage to infrastructure.
"We're working closely with Transport for NSW, Road Freight NSW and the Transport Workers' Union to drive strategies to reduce over-height breaches and on educating drivers on preventative actions they can take to avoid an incident occurring.
"It's crucial during the busy November period that operators and drivers measure the height of the truck and plan their journey to ensure they comply with tunnel height clearances.
"It's also important to remember that loads can shift during a journey, so checking your load before you commence your trip and throughout is imperative."
For more information and to plan a safe journey through Sydney's tunnels visit Transport for NSW.
