Vorarlberg inspectors stop 22 trucks over dangerous defects

Police and ASFINAG inspectors in Vorarlberg stopped 22 heavy vehicles from continuing their journeys because of serious defects, ORF reported. They checked 47 vehicles during targeted inspections from Monday to Thursday.

One of the worst cases was a Lithuanian-registered articulated lorry whose tyre tread had come completely loose. Its 30-year-old Indian driver said he had not noticed the tyre failure. Inspectors found four tyres that were either badly damaged or worn out.

On a Polish-registered articulated vehicle, only one of the trailer’s three axles still had functioning brakes. A Moroccan-registered truck was taken off the road because its steering joints were severely worn. It also lacked authorisation for a transport into Austria.

Inspectors reported 57 serious defects and 69 defects posing an immediate danger to the relevant district authorities. They also filed 103 reports under driving and rest-time rules and 25 other administrative reports. Officials collected 38 provisional security payments to secure administrative penalty proceedings.

All the vehicles were able to continue after repairs. Police said the checks focused on trucks in visibly poor condition and that most trucks on the roads were in good condition.