Truckies defy heavy vehicle ban on suburban streets
Cameras have captured hundreds of truck drivers flouting bans on roads in Melbourne’s inner west – but it’s done little to stop them.
VIC News
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Hundreds of drivers are flouting truck bans in Melbourne’s inner west as authorities crack down on heavy vehicles thundering down residential streets.
Figures obtained under Freedom of Information show two cameras set up to catch out trucks on Hyde St, Yarraville recorded hundreds of people breaking curfew over six months.
Over the past 18 months, the department has handed out 7500 infringements to heavy vehicle drivers in Victoria and transport companies as the number of big rigs hitting our roads soars.
There were more than 18,700 trucks registered in the state in 2019 compared to five years earlier.
Victorian Greens MP Sam Hibbins, who requested the curfew data, said thousands of dollars had been spent on cameras that did not deter bad behaviour.
“Installing surveillance cameras only works if you’re going to actually use them,” he said.
“Until then dozens of trucks will continue to roar through residential streets at all hours of the night.
“The West Gate Tunnel has been pitched as another silver bullet solution, but if the government has failed to reduce the number of trucks on our streets using their cameras, how can residents be sure this will be any different?”
The cameras captured thousands of trucks passing through the street during the six months recorded but many of these were given special exemption from the ban.
Operators can be fined $165 on the spot if caught.
A department of transport spokesman said the government was serious about enforcing curfews.
“The Victorian Government is building the West Gate Tunnel to take 9,300 trucks off local roads in the inner west, allowing us to bring in 24/7 truck bans on six key routes.”
“Our officers regularly patrol areas around the inner west where curfews are in place to ensure drivers are doing the right thing.”
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But Victorian Transport Association chief executive Peter Anderson said blocking roads was not a full solution.
“While we discourage the use of roads where restrictions are in place, the VTA is calling for a better managed process that harmonises community amenity and commercial productivity,” he said.
“The Port of Melbourne is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and has 8,000 to 10,000 truck movements per day by operators servicing the needs of the Victorian people and economy.”