The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) has kicked off a compliance blitz aimed at truckies travelling along a section of the Bruce Highway.
Dubbed ‘Operation Overwatch’, the blitz will see NHVR Safety and Compliance Officers (SCOs) work with Queensland Police Service (QPS) to conduct roadside inspections on high-risk areas along the Bruce Highway, between Maryborough and Miriam Vale.
According to NHVR Acting Chief Operations Officer Steve Miller, the blitz is focused on enhancing heavy vehicle compliance and reducing behaviours linked to serious crashes.
“Heavy vehicle drivers can expect to chat with SCOs and police about fatigue and work diaries, as well as compliance with mass and loading requirements,” Miller said.
“Our safety operations involve a tactical approach to identifying and intercepting drivers displaying unsafe behaviours, such as fatigued driving, speeding, improper rest breaks, and failure to comply with work and rest regulations.”
Chief Superintendent Mark Wheeler from the QPS’ Road Policing and Regional Support Command said officers had seen far too many serious and fatal heavy vehicle crashes on the Bruce Highway in recent weeks.
“Together with the NHVR, our focus is on ensuring operators are meeting their safety obligations and doing their part to protect every road user,” Wheeler said.
“Fatigue remains one of the most significant risks on our roads, particularly for heavy vehicle drivers travelling long distances, and through this operation we’ll be working closely with the NHVR to make sure drivers are meeting their fatigue management requirements.
“This is about preventing avoidable tragedies and making sure drivers are rested, compliant, and able to get home safely.”
From January to September 2025, Queensland recorded 27 fatal crashes involving a heavy vehicle, tragically resulting in 30 people losing their lives.
NHVR Northern Region Operations Manager Jarrod Wilson said the NHVR was committed to working with industry to reduce the likelihood of crashes, particularly during the holiday season, when there are typically more motorists on the road.
“Fatigue is always dangerous, with drivers at risk of impaired judgment and slowed reaction times, and this time of year marks an incredibly important time for us to ensure safe driving behaviours,” he said.
“The NHVR wants to see every single motorist reach their destination safely, which is why we will be working with our partners and industry to make this holiday season safer for everyone.”
build some rest areas with signs on them would be a start to stop some accidents not only for trucks but cars as well get rid of the road trains and the other slow moving shuttle trucks off the Bruce hyway get all speedoes in cars made to read the correct speed most cars only doing 90 km when Speedo reads 100 frustration is the main cause of accidents on this road you will not change that until they address this problem people will continue to take chances example is someone Speedo reading 100and really only doing 90 driver scared speed camera goes off at 101 drives at 95 so he does not get fined but he is only doing85 that’s what causes major problems until someone changes this road toll will continue to go up