The Department for Transport, Energy and Infrastructure (DTEI) ran the operations that targeted heavy vehicle movements in regional South Australia and metropolitan Adelaide.

DTEI’s Transport Safety Regulation general manager, Trent Rusby said the 10 month operation saw more than 400 vehicles inspected and led to 56 warnings and 137 defects

“DTEI is committed to the compliance of heavy vehicles and will continue to work with police to enforce laws through operations of this nature.

“The message is clear and simple – if you fail to comply, we’ll be there to enforce the law,” Mr Rusby said.

Senior Constable First Class Peta Giles said Roxby Downs Police would participate in future operations conducted in the state’s Far North to check on compliance and encourage road safety.

“Roxby police will participate in future operations and our Far North Highway Patrol members are working together with Roxby Downs Police to ensure they receive training in the updating of laws and procedures in relation to Policing Heavy Vehicles,” Snr Cnst Giles said.

New laws came into effect on February 1 as part of a nationally consistent Heavy Vehicle Speeding Compliance approach.

The new laws apply to heavy vehicles, including buses, with a gross vehicle mass of more than 4.5 tonnes.

245 heavy vehicle drivers across Australia died in crashes while at the wheel in 2008.

The new laws are designed to reduce this number of deaths significantly - aiming to make sure drivers return home safely.

The new laws do not change speed rules applying to drivers, they increase the responsibility of off-road parties such as operators and business owners so reasonable steps are taken to prevent speeding.