POLICE BLITZ TARGETING CARAVANNERS

TwoBob (2)

We’ve heard whispers around the caravan community in the last week about a police blitz on overweight loads, in particular caravans.

Quite often these kind of rumours spread like wild fire, and are usually nothing but a viral Facebook post, however after doing some digging, I’ve found out that it’s not just an isolated occasion - police are targeting vanners across the country.

Along the Princes Highway on the NSW/VIC Border, in Northern QLD, at Yarck Victoria, just to name a few locations — Police have been setting up mobile weigh stations, throwing caravans and tow vehicles on the scales, and slapping gobsmacked owners with fines up to $600, and taking up to 4 points off their licence. It’s becoming more and more prevalent, and I’m guessing we’ll be seeing even more now the dry season is here and we’re all out on the road travelling.

Now, I’m sure some of you are sitting there saying “how dare they? Why target us vanners when there are bigger fish to fry?”. It might be revenue raising, but I’m going to throw my two bob in and say - it’s about bloody time.

Yep - I’m siding with the police on this one. Want to know why? I’m sick of seeing overweight vans on the road, wobbling about everywhere. I’m sick of picking up the paper and reading about vanners hospitalised after horrific crashes. A fine from the police should be the least of your worries.

Hopefully this serves as a wake up call to all caravanners to go and get your setup weighed and inspected. Get to a public weighbridge, or even better, spend a few bucks to get your setup checked out by a professional. They’ll help you balance your van weight perfectly, meaning you’ll tow safer and legally.

The responsibility sits on your shoulders to make sure the rig and van you use comes in under weight. I want to applaud the police for hopefully forcing some caravanners into action.

What do you think? Is this just revenue raising? Have you seen police weighing Vans? Is YOUR van overweight? I want your thoughts on this - it’s a serious issue that has to be discussed. Email me [email protected]