Truck checks find little in tragic wake
A fatal crash prompted BP to pull its tanker fleet in for safety checks on the weekend.
The inspections were ordered after a triple fatality involving a BP tanker near the Victorian city of Wodonga.
A total of 20 trucks and 19 trailers underwent check in the voluntary grounding of the fuel fleet.
Transport safety authority VicRoads issued five major and 20 minor defect notices for “standard maintenance issues in between services”.
No trucks were grounded, according to VicRoads director of regulatory services Richard Bell.
“We have worked extremely closely with BP since last Thursday afternoon and we understand BP is addressing all defects before returning their trucks to service,” Bell said.
“The defects reflect standard maintenance issues that occur in between regular services, such as suspension wear and tear, tyres and oil and fuel leaks.
“We did find an example of chassis cracking, which falls in a major category and BP have advised us that these repairs will be carried out this week.”
The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) has confirmed that similar inspections were performed on BP trucks in New South Wales and Queensland over the weekend too.
A spokesperson for the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads said it was largely happy with the result.
“Following the fatal crash in Victoria on Thursday last week, we undertook inspections on a number of BP heavy vehicles in Queensland the following day,” he said.
“Of the trucks and dog trailers inspected, only minor defect notices were issued.”