Source: New Zealand Police
Central North Island Police have issued 141 infringements after inspecting 910 vehicles in a targeted and pointed approach on heavy vehicles and trailers.
Operation Triangle was carried out from the 3 November to the 6 November 2025.
The objective is to improve the compliance of drivers and heavy vehicle standards to reduce the risk of crashes on our roads.
The operation involved the Commercial Vehicle Safety Team, working with New Zealand Transport Agency Vehicle Inspectors, setting up checkpoints and inspecting vehicles at three major sites in the Central North Island.
These sites, situated on State Highway 5 at Iwitahi on the Napier-Taupo Road, State Highway 1 at Turangi, and State Highway 3 at Te Kuiti were operated over 24-hour periods and included the use of two Roller Brake Testing Machines.
“What we’re asking for is simple,” says Senior Sergeant Lex Soepnel, Waikato West Area Manager, Commercial Vehicle Safety Team.
“We have rules in place to keep all road users safe, and we’re asking heavy vehicle operators to meet those standards.”
“Our staff see first-hand the damage and destruction that takes place on New Zealand roads. It’s basic physics that large vehicles travelling at high speeds can result in severe crashes.”
“We need everyone to ensure that their vehicles are maintained to a safe and compliant standard and that drivers are well rested and not fatigued.”
“We are focussed on preventing road trauma and not picking up the pieces after a crash.”
There were 482 Commercial Vehicle Inspection Reports completed with 211 offences detected. A total of 165 vehicle defects were identified in the 910 vehicles which were inspected. This indicates over eighteen percent of the vehicles inspected had a defect.
The Roller Brake Test Machines, located in Turangi and Te Kuiti, indicated that out of 58 vehicles tested, 15 or twenty six percent had faulty brakes.
“Nobody wants a heavy motor vehicle, often weighing over 50000kgs coming towards you with defective brakes.”
The top five offences detected during the operation were:
- 1. Not up to Certificate of Fitness Standard
- 2. Road User Charges compliance
- 3. Speeding
- 4. Worktime/Logbook
- 5. Insecure loading.
A number of these were simple faults easily rectified by daily walk around checks, such as faulty lights, brakes, and wheels needing attention.
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre
