New mobile cameras to catch truckies dodging safety regulations

New mobile cameras that pick up number plate details are being rolled out across Queensland highways to detect trucks that are not compliant, with fines of up to $700 for serious breaches.

The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator has started rolling out cameras to monitor heavy vehicle and freight truck movements across the state. Picture: NHVR

Special mobile cameras will be set up on major southeast highways to capture rogue truckies skirting weight limit laws.

The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator has invested in 40 of the mobile cameras, which automatically recognise number plates, with eight allocated to Queensland.

Cameras have already been spotted on major trucking routes from the Gold Coast to Cairns, and west to Chinchilla and Emerald.

The main southeast Queensland targets include the Logan Motorway, the Pacific Motorway, the Bruce Highway, the Centenary Motorway and the Mount Lindesay Highway.

One of the mobile cameras that is monitoring the state's major highways. Picture: NHVR

Officers from the regulator monitor the cameras, which take photos that can be used to issue stiff fines ranging from a few hundred dollars to more than $700 for serious offences under the Heavy Vehicle National Law.

Regulator officers can pull over truckies believed to be flaunting weight limit laws and issue on-the-spot fines or lecture drivers on safety.

Queensland is tipped to have 10 of the cameras operating on roads by the middle of next year with their main aim to detect trucks avoiding compliance, ensure heavy vehicles are undertaking required safety checks and they are accessing interception sites.

The high-tech devices will also allow regulator officers to identify and intercept vehicles detected as potentially being unregistered, potentially defective, or being operated by a fatigued driver.

Cameras monitor most of the state’s major highways and toll roads. Picture: TMR

Data will be kept about the movement of heavy vehicles and freight to give road authorities the locations of roads with the greatest need for safety resources.

However, regulator chief operations officer Michelle Tayler said officers were taking a less obtrusive line and being detected by a camera did not necessarily mean a driver would be fined.

“These high-tech monitoring cameras help the regulator obtain information on Australia’s heavy vehicle fleet, and encourage safer driving practices on heavy vehicle routes and freight networks,” Ms Tayler said.

“The cameras can be moved and used in different locations, with sites identified within the busiest freight routes to maximise heavy vehicle monitoring capability.

“Officers may intercept a vehicle at a suitable location to undertake relevant safety checks related to potential high-risk journeys.

“Footage is retained in a secure data system, in accordance with our privacy policy, and is used to develop and inform on-road activities to increase road safety.”