The driver of a truck that was loaded with bales of hay has been fined after being spotted overtaking a caravan when it was unsafe to do so.
The Courier Mail reports that Cambell Buckland Hill came to the attention of police as he drove along the Dawson Highway in Central Queensland on July 29 last year.
The 57-year-old pleaded guilty in Biloela Magistrates Court to one count of failing to keep left of double continuous dividing lines, and one count of failing to keep left of centre dividing lines.
The court heard that police on the highway at Calliope saw a small truck, loaded with 16 round bales of hay, travelling east. That truck being driven by Hill was seen crossing over the centre dividing line on three occasions.
Police Prosecutor Sergeant Kevin Ongheen said one of those was on a left-hand ‘blind corner’.
“Police saw the driver overtake a truck on double continuous dividing lines at Catfish Creek, on the bridge, in between the guard rails” he said. “The vehicle has then overtaken another vehicle towing a caravan when not safe, as another vehicle was approaching in the opposite direction.”
The Courier Mail reports that the court heard police subsequently intercepted Hill, and he was spoken to in relation to exceeding the speed limit and his manner of driving.
“He said he was running late and had to be at Agnes Water before 5pm to drop off the hay,” Sgt Ongheen said.
Police issued Hill with two infringement notices for the ‘failing to keep left’ offences and also an infringement notice for speeding. He elected to have these matters dealt with by a court and a brief of evidence was prepared.
Solicitor Richard Parks handed photos of sections of the road in question to Magistrate Philippa Beckinsale and explained that some of these sections were ‘in a state of disarray’.
“The road was in such a state of disarray there and disrepair, there was a need – but he went too far, he went too far over the centre of the road,” said Mr Parks.
After looking at the photographs, Ms Beckinsdale said she was shocked by how far over the lines Hill’s truck had actually gone.
“I would imagine that the safer choice on going around a corner like that is to put up with the bumps and lumps in the road, rather than put yourself out in front of an oncoming car,” she said.
Ms Beckinsale told Hill: “The solution is not to put these time frames on your deliveries.”
And she added that you must always drive to conditions.
Ms Beckinsale fined Hill $496.
wow – such a small fine for almost injuring people in oncoming car – just a matter of wrong place at the wrong time would have contributed to horrible injuries. Stumped
Why did the police let him continue so long, considering he was being a danger ? I think the fine is waaay too small, considering the danger he was putting on fellow drivers
Do i really care. So the police have to see it before something is done. Every notice that when the police want something on dash cam they plea for help. If you are cut off the road, almost have an accident or see an accident and record it on dash cam the police do not care. Pretty one sided if you ask me.