Longreach police constable Chris Curtis stationed himself on the Landsborough Hwy by the Tourist Park with a set up to weigh cars and caravans.
This was to show that many travellers are unaware of the safety limits their vehicles have in towing a caravan.
The aim was to increase road safety through community engagement and education. No tickets were issued.
Across the state, police officers have been building recognition around safety measures required for caravan weights.
Results have also shown that 9/10 caravans and caravan combinations on the road are overweight, and this week in Longreach, 9 out of 12 were shown to be overweight.
Constable Chris Curtis said the process, at this time, was not about giving out fines but providing education.
"We're not ticketing anyone today, it's about coming in and getting your van weighed to see if you're overweight or not," he said. "Most people are over in some way."
This was the first time weighing had been done in Longreach, but recently, weighing has been shown in the media.
Constable Curtis warned locals who may be looking to travel elsewhere to be conscious of what they put in their van or car, as they do not have the opportunity to weigh it, often, themselves. "It adds up more than they think," he said.
At the moment, its all about education, but there may come a time when you could incur a fine for being overweight."
For more information, tips and hints for safely towing your caravan, see here: https://mypolice.qld.gov.au/bayside/2022/06/27/dont-tow-the-line-of-safety-when-it-comes-to-your-trip-hints-and-tips-for-towing/?fbclid=IwAR0g7TevE0DmUsKfwfjvWoa0_vEk5vxAR5TaClaaVAGcGftQCgdXvLOJ0Z4
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Chris & Sharyn.
Tea Gardens. NSW.
2015 VW Touareg V6 Air suspension, 2012 Jayco Sterling 21.
I went out through Longreach last week but I didnt see them on the night and next morning when I was there.
I would like to be inspected and interviewed by one of those checking operations if for nothing else but to find out as to what the major concerns are with relation the van and vehicle combinations.
Maybe they wouldnt pull me in as my rig is quite legal and it also looks that way.
The sooner that fines and penalties apply to those operating illegally the sooner we begin to prevent the almost daily occurrence of van rollovers during caravan season. I think once the word is out that fines will apply there will be a lot of Vanners who will tidy up their act.
I could not imagine the public outcry if 9 out of 12 trucks were operating while overloaded on our roads.
-- Edited by Clarky 1 on Tuesday 19th of July 2022 09:22:55 AM
When 110km/h speed limits were introduced in Queensland, formal speed detection wasn't used on some stretches for several months. Radar equipped road signs gave warnings. Initially offenders detected with police equipment where issued with formal warnings but no fine. Fines for being overweight will start we just don't know when. Until then, the exercise is working because we're talking about weights.
I could be wrong but I was under the impression that regulations regarding caravan weights have been around for several years.
I bought my last van in early 2017 and I do know that these regulations existed well before that. We were talking about weights back then.
I thinks those operating vans have really had long enough.
If a warning is needed it could be given through the media.
I hope the next van that goes skewing all over the road doesnt hit anyone coming the other way and I sincerely hope that if a van does career head on into another vehicle that there is no loss of life.
Yes there would be a major outcry if 75% of trucks on the road were overweight.
-- Edited by Ivan 01 on Tuesday 19th of July 2022 04:39:33 PM
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Welcome to Biggs Country many may know it as Australia
Of course these regs have been around for years but they've never been routinely enforced and awareness programs were initially non-existent. Unlike transport industry regs, which have been enforced in one form or other for decades. There's no comparison between the two really.
Of course these regs have been around for years but they've never been routinely enforced and awareness programs were initially non-existent. Unlike transport industry regs, which have been enforced in one form or other for decades. There's no comparison between the two really.
Here we have another example of the taxpayer pays for the exercise to check and weigh caravans but nothing is done.
These regulations have been around for years and the authorities for that same time have turned a blind eye.
Now they are becoming aware that this overloading is a real problem you are suggesting that we continue to ignore it for yet another period.
What! all of a sudden we now need an *awareness program* for the public.
The world is full of bleeding hearts that think we will all comply one day if just given time. Well I might suggest that the courts are full of those that dont comply. While I mention the courts, even if we as an authority come down hard on these vanners who deliberately break the law, there will be some do gooder judge that will let them off with a warning.
Unfortunately it is those judges and many do gooder bleeding hearts that never seem to lose a family member or a loved one when one of these irresponsible a$holes overloads, loses control and kills innocent motorists.
Social media is such that many of us can easily be forewarned about upcoming checks and bad luck for those that have the attitude that they are beyond the law.
It is not pleasant to come up on any road accident let alone a fatality.
As a professional driver I have no time for anyone who breaks the law and for those who support that action.
-- Edited by Clarky 1 on Wednesday 20th of July 2022 09:22:56 AM
POLICE AND TMR CONTINUE THE RANDOM CARAVAN WEIGHT COMPLIANCE CHECKS.
Friday and Saturday this week they were at Woodford Qld. GVM and ATM infringement notices were issued to several drivers.
Some vans found to have non-legally visable number plates. Boxes on the rear of vans can make your van not legal if you do not have the correct visability of your number plate.
This is part of an ongoing road safety campaign to help ensure the caravans and tow vehicles on Queensland roads comply with the legal weight limits.
If you have not had your vehicle weighed, I would strongly suggest that you do so to help ensure that you are driving legally.
Truck Friendly regularly publishes a list of mobile caravan weighing companies of this Facebook page. Give them a call and book your rig in. It can be cheaper than a fine.
The next road side Police check could be anywhere in the state at any time so please be prepared, not only to avoid a fine, but for your, & your family's safety, and the safety of other road users.
Stay safe.
Cheers
Ken Wilson
#truckfriendly
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Chris & Sharyn.
Tea Gardens. NSW.
2015 VW Touareg V6 Air suspension, 2012 Jayco Sterling 21.
