Laws/Regulations regards wide/oversize loads

[AirStrike]

Does anyone know if there is rules/laws/regulations regarding the transport of goods that fall into the category of wide/oversize loads? Really starting to get sick of these goods being shipped during peak hours along the highway with the drivers traveling 20-30km/h below the speed limit.
You would think thattravelingg on major roads at these speeds they should be restricted to travel outside peak hours, ie: over night.

Also what is the go with the drivers of the pilot cars? Had one today that was all over the road weaving between lanes, while not indicating to block cars from passing even though the truck was completely in the left lane. Surely they are there to assist the driver, not to run interference and block cars.

Thoughts?

[VT_SS]

Does anyone know if there is rules/laws/regulations regarding the transport of goods that fall into the category of wide/oversize loads? Really starting to get sick of these goods being shipped during peak hours along the highway with the drivers traveling 20-30km/h below the speed limit.
You would think thattravelingg on major roads at these speeds they should be restricted to travel outside peak hours, ie: over night.

Also what is the go with the drivers of the pilot cars? Had one today that was all over the road weaving between lanes, while not indicating to block cars from passing even though the truck was completely in the left lane. Surely they are there to assist the driver, not to run interference and block cars.

Thoughts?

I work across the road from McGrath homes and from what i have seen they have certain parts of the day they like to leave early in the morning and lunch time and yes i have seen the pilot cars making more probs rather then helping the driver.

[Not_An_Abba_Fan]

It's all in here http://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/Domino/Web_Notes/LDMS/LTObject_Store/LTObjSt5.nsf/DDE300B846EED9C7CA257616000A3571/D0955016FD747124CA257761003FA583/$FILE/99-29sr043.pdf

There are designated routes that have to be traveled, but how do you keep everyone happy? These guys have a job to do and inconveniencing you fro 20 minutes isn't that big a deal is it?

The pilot vehicles are there to make it easier for the loaded vehicles to travel unhindered, not for other road users.

[AirStrike]

It's all in here http://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/Domino/Web_Notes/LDMS/LTObject_Store/LTObjSt5.nsf/DDE300B846EED9C7CA257616000A3571/D0955016FD747124CA257761003FA583/$FILE/99-29sr043.pdf

There are designated routes that have to be traveled, but how do you keep everyone happy? These guys have a job to do and inconveniencing you fro 20 minutes isn't that big a deal is it?

The pilot vehicles are there to make it easier for the loaded vehicles to travel unhindered, not for other road users.

I wish twenty minutes! What annoyed me more today was the fact of what they were carrying. Fair enought if it's a wide load to carry a piece of machinery or equipment, etc but this was a tanker for Boral that took up more the one lane, why are they allowed to manufacture something that doesn't fit on the road?

[Not_An_Abba_Fan]

Because it's not made for a road?

How else could they transport it?

[VZ_SS]

You would think thattravelingg on major roads at these speeds they should be restricted to travel outside peak hours, ie: over night.

They arnt allowed to travel at night

[DAZ60L]

Your probably the same person who complains when there's no food on the shelves in a shopping center. But then complains because the truck is making too much noise doing its delivery after dark..but yet still want to live next to a shopping center.....I'm a truck driver and to be honest if just for one day us truck drivers went on strike the country would shut down. So when your stuck behind a semi heading down the freeway and inconveniences you for a minute or two or makes you have to brake for an instance. Just remember that the fuel that's in your car or the food your in a rush home to cook or the number of other important things that need to be done by you. Would not be possible without it being transported by a truck at some stage or another. That's part of the joy of living in this huge island. I'm no tear bashing I'm just trying to point out that we take truck drivers for granted

[ClairBear]

So when your stuck behind a semi heading down the freeway and inconveniences you for a minute or two

Now you have got off your soap box, re-read Airstrikes post. He is talking about being stuck behind semi's with oversized goods that you can't get around, not a Woolies/Coles truck.

[DAZ60L]

I'm commenting on the fact that he is complaining troll

[vicarious]

Also what is the go with the drivers of the pilot cars? Had one today that was all over the road weaving between lanes, while not indicating to block cars from passing even though the truck was completely in the left lane. Surely they are there to assist the driver, not to run interference and block cars.

Thoughts?

this is to stop cars overtaking when the truck needs to either miss power polls/lights on the side of the road and if the truck needs to swing out wide to take a turn, and the people that are doing the pilot cars if they are either police escorts or contractors are licenced to do this.

[AirStrike]

Because it's not made for a road?

How else could they transport it?

It was a tanker truck, the sort that carriers fuel, grain, etc so it was made to drive on the road, not like they were transporting a silo, etc

[AirStrike]

Your probably the same person who complains when there's no food on the shelves in a shopping center. But then complains because the truck is making too much noise doing its delivery after dark..but yet still want to live next to a shopping center.....I'm a truck driver and to be honest if just for one day us truck drivers went on strike the country would shut down. So when your stuck behind a semi heading down the freeway and inconveniences you for a minute or two or makes you have to brake for an instance. Just remember that the fuel that's in your car or the food your in a rush home to cook or the number of other important things that need to be done by you. Would not be possible without it being transported by a truck at some stage or another. That's part of the joy of living in this huge island. I'm no tear bashing I'm just trying to point out that we take truck drivers for granted

I don't have an issue with normal trucks, I patiently wait till I can safely pass which as you said is normally only a few minutes. I am talking about oversize loads that I frequently get stuck behind for 20-40mins on my way home that are doing up to 30km/h below the limit.
Also I see you are one of those truck drivers...............guess your the same ones that give the rest a bad name.

[Banicks]

Maybe the truck was going to make a difficult turn within a few KMs. So the pilot car was blocking in preperation, maybe the pilot car was being a prick, who knows.

I've come across the wide loads many times just cruising up and down Newcastle Hwy, passed them without any issues.

Most of the time I'm not in a hurry to get anywhere when I come across them.

I can understand time is precious after a working day, but no need to lose your cool on the road. As they say, better to get there than not at all.

[Munz]

My old girls partner used to work as a pilot for a haulage company and you may complain about it today (I prob would too).
But if you hear the stories he tells of moron drivers putting their own lives at risk cause they can't wait for a decent place to overtake..
and yes power-poles and other obstacles are really hazardous in their job and quite pricey if they take something out

[DAZ60L]

Exactly the way the road is these days you give an inch they take a mile....and whatever air strike you asked for thoughts and you got mine on a subject that directly involves me. Just have a look on the news today. This is an occupational health issue that every truck driver has to deal with daily. Whoever's at fault. My suggestion is if this is a regular thing call the company and ask why? Or write a letter to the transport minister and ask why.

[Darren_L]

I don't know how it is in the other states, but in Qld we do rely heavily on trucks to move big stuff around - particularly to the mines. There is some mega HUGE machinery getting towed around by trucks. They can be a real pain in the arse to other motorists - sometimes the entire highway has to be blocked by police in order for the truck to get through. But the bottom line is this gear needs to get transported somehow, and unfortunately road transport is the only means we have in this state to do it. Most of the operators transporting these oversize loads pay huge fees for permits to move the gear, and have to comply with strict guidelines, routes etc, so I think it's fair enough.

Not trying to be arguementative, afterall I've also been inconvenienced big time by oversized loads. And if they were driving irresponsibly or illegally etc, then I could see the problem. But these guys aren't going out of their way to piss others off, they are just doing their job

[Lumps of cheese]

Ok, i transport oversized gear on a regular basis, as a driver of the prime mover and also as a certified pilot vehicle driver. It's a dangerous buisness which requires trucks hauling loads up to 100 tonnes on roads simply not built to handle such weights, which is why most will travel below the speed limit, also so they have room to pull up as obviously they need more room to stop. I must say most road users are very good and stay well out of the way but some are just damn impatient. I've had on more than one occasion people trying to pass me up the inside whilst i've been turning in.
Pilot vehicles have set guidelines they must follow in regards to where they sit on the road in front or behind the vehicle. if the vehicle is over a certain width or height then vicroads must also provide an escort as well as the pilot vehicle.

[Reaper]

Does anyone know if there is rules/laws/regulations regarding the transport of goods that fall into the category of wide/oversize loads? Really starting to get sick of these goods being shipped during peak hours along the highway with the drivers traveling 20-30km/h below the speed limit.
You would think thattravelingg on major roads at these speeds they should be restricted to travel outside peak hours, ie: over night.

The laws vary from state to state. In Vic, up to 2.5m wide is a normal load.
2.5 - 2.99 needs "oversize" signs front and rear.
3.0 - 3.49 needs "oversize" signs front and rear, amber flashing light + can only travel between 9:00am and 4:00 pm
3.5 - 3.99 needs the same as 3.0 - 3.49 plus 1 pilot vehicle
4.0 + can be done but don't go there - waaaaay too hard.

All of the above may need special permits for some routes. Obviously the wider you go, the more permits needed.

I don't have an issue with normal trucks, I patiently wait till I can safely pass which as you said is normally only a few minutes. I am talking about oversize loads that I frequently get stuck behind for 20-40mins on my way home that are doing up to 30km/h below the limit.
Also I see you are one of those truck drivers...............guess your the same ones that give the rest a bad name.

Hmmm I do 2 - 3 of them a month. Sorry' bout that. Blocked off 2 lanes of the tunnel last week. Caused all sorts of shit

Reaper

[DAZ60L]

A well atleast this thread brought the truckies out of the wood work anyway. If it happens once or twice you just gotta deal with it. If its happening on a regular basis in peak hour than I agree someone needs to be contacted and asked how come.

[AirStrike]

A well atleast this thread brought the truckies out of the wood work anyway. If it happens once or twice you just gotta deal with it. If its happening on a regular basis in peak hour than I agree someone needs to be contacted and asked how come.

Like I said I don't have an issue if it is once in a while or for a short distance, but I travel down the Hume home........so get it quite a lot.