Safety prompts truck checks

Constable Phil Beckwith, of Cromwell (left) and Road Transport Association NZ (RTANZ) Otago and Southland area executive Alan Cooper speak to a truck driver during a joint awareness campaign run for heavy commercial vehicle drivers in Cromwell this week.

The driver, and others reached during the one-day campaign, were compliant with road rules and appreciative of the campaign, those behind it said.

The initiative was a joint one between police, RTANZ and the NZ Transport Agency, and followed a similar one held recently in Dunedin.

Const Beckwith said the campaign highlighted the risks of driver fatigue and sleep apnoea for drivers of heavy commercial vehicles.

Drivers also had their logbooks and licences checked, and were breath-tested.

Free hats and bottled water were provided to drivers through the campaign.