Truckies were reporting an increased police presence at rest stops in North Queensland in the weeks leading up to this month’s state-wide cattle sector blitz by the NHVR.
Drivers who spoke to Big Rigs on the condition of anonymity said police have been checking logbooks and conducting random breath tests (RBTs) at rest areas in Roma, Charters Towers and Cloncurry.
“The pub test don’t count,” said one truckie familiar with the recent incidents.
“They’ll just bring out the letter of the law which says if you’re in charge of a heavy vehicle you have to have zero alcohol [blood content reading].
“But it’s just bullshit, especially at the Cloncurry saleyards now, because it’s so well looked after, a lot of them guys, are using it as a regular stop as they travel through Brisbane to Darwin.
“They pull in there, cook a bit of tea, have a few beers, so straight away they’re over the triple zeros.
“If police go in there and breathalyse them, they’re going to get ‘em.”
Another truckie we spoke to said there was no “rhyme or reason” why the police need to be targeting drivers at their place of rest.
“The normal everyday copper in the towns, they’ll help you rather than try and screw you, but the task force in their candy cars, they’re a different breed of copper.”
Local member Robbie Katter said the Queensland government’s priorities have hit a new low by targeting truck drivers with RBTs at rest stops where they’ve pulled up for the night.
“It’s an absolute disgrace that police resources are being used to harass truckies at rest stops, where they’ve pulled over after long, gruelling hours on the road,” said Katter, Katter’s Australian Party (KAP) Leader and Member for Traeger.
“This is nothing short of the state government flexing its muscles on the wrong people while ignoring the real issues plaguing our communities.
He condemned what he called the hypocrisy of the state government’s priorities, pointing out that while North Queensland is battling real problems – like skyrocketing youth crime and crumbling roads – the government instead targeted truck drivers with petty crackdowns.
“While our roads deteriorate and youth crime spirals out of control, police resources are being misused in a money-grabbing exercise.
“We all understand the importance of road safety but harassing hardworking truckies, who are off the clock is over-policing and intimidation. This isn’t about safety – it’s about squeezing truckies for cash.
“The emotional toll this harassment takes on drivers, who are already grappling with long hours on terrible roads and limited rest areas, is unacceptable.”
The increasing imposition on transport companies, paired with nonsensical regulations, was pushing truckies to the brink.
“Several North Queensland transport companies have reported to me that it’s becoming increasingly difficult to keep or employ truck drivers, as many are unwilling to endure the constant harassment and overreach from the police,” Katter said.
Big Rigs has approached Queensland Police for comment.
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