Residents demand truck company fined

• Published date: 18 April 2024
• Author: Jenny Ling
• Publication title: Northern Advocate, The (Whangarei, New Zealand)

Residents are furious after a large truck “brazenly” drove through checkpoints along Cove Rd in Mangawhai last week and became stuck on a hairpin bend — blocking both lanes for hours

The Northland Transportation Alliance set restrictions banning truck and trailer units from using the Cove Rd detour route during the 10-week closure of SH1 over the hills.

The restrictions were approved by Whangārei and Kaipara district councils under the Land Transport Amendment Act covering temporary restrictions of heavy traffic on roads.

Police initially said it was responsible for enforcement and was determining whether charges would be laid.

When asked if police would fine the truck driver or company, and what the penalty would be, a spokeswoman said: “Taking into consideration the circumstances of the crash, police have reviewed the matter and at this stage no charges will be laid”.

Police would not say what those circumstances were, and after some prompting, said fines were the responsibility of the local council.

Whangārei District Council did not respond to the Northern Advocate’s questions about whether the truck company would be fined or how the driver got past checkpoints.

But Langs Beach resident Peter Harris said traffic management people working on Cove Rd tried to stop the truck at the Mangawhai checkpoint and turn it around.

“But the truck [driver] ignored them and just drove through.”

Harris said his friend was behind the truck but didn’t get stuck “because they knew what was going to happen and turned around”.

Roading authorities were confident heavy trucks would stay off local roads designated for light vehicles during the February 26 to May 13 closure after more than $5.5 million was spent on upgrading...