Transport officers tasked with removing unsafe cars from the road have been sent on Easter Break making a mockery of the State Government’s new road safety action plan, the State LNP says.
Member for Maroochydore Fiona Simpson says people driving unsafe, unregistered and uninsured cars are putting people’s lives at risk on local roads but Transport Officers who have the power to target this, aren’t allowed to help and are being told to stay home.
“According to whistleblowers there are no transport officers working over the Easter Break to target unsafe and unregistered light vehicles,” she said.
“The new road safety action plan calls for cooperation, but the State Government can’t even get the Transport Department to cooperate with Police in getting the unregistered, unsafe and uninsured clunkers off our roads.
“Whistleblowers tell me there are two Transport officers working from the Sunshine Coast to the Brisbane River over Easter, but they are only allowed to target taxis and ubers, not the clunkers and unregistered vehicles among everyday cars,” Ms Simpson said.
Ms Simpson said police were stretched so it was inexplicable why the State Government didn’t use the full force of the law and resources by utilising Transport Officers to do the job they were supposed to be doing.
“The question I’d like the State Transport Minister to answer is why the State Government has not rostered Transport Officers at this busy time of year, especially given the easing of restrictions and being able to travel freely there will be more cars on the road than ever?
“If he claims they have, show us the rosters.
“The State Labor Government needs to answer just how many transport officers are employed over the Easter Break on the road enforcing road safety compliance under their job description which includes for light vehicles and heavy vehicles in this area.”
Transport Officers should play a critical role in our community for safer driving, safter vehicles and safer roads.
The DTMR website claims Transport Officers run Operation Safe Drive during the school holidays, and yet they have been taken off the roads. To quote the DTMR website: Transport Inspectors help families reach their destination safely.
“How can they do that if the Government tells them to stay home and not do their job.”
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