The flathead are coming on the bite and I am now wearing thongs as part of my off duty wardrobe.  I have been spending my days off recently trying to clean out my shed but it’s so hard to get rid of stuff.

All you blokes know what I mean, that bent piece of wire three inches long that’s been laying around for the last 10 years might come in handy one day.

You can see my dilemma. However I did manage to fill up the back of the ute on Sunday and went for a trip to the tip.

Prior to going however I strapped my load down and put a tarp on to stop objects from falling off, and then off I went with the wind in my hair and a tip voucher in my pocket. I eventually arrived at the tip, chucked out the junk and headed home. 

As I was driving back I wondered what would happen if something fell off the back of my ute or trailer, or if I did not have my load secured properly what would happen to me if I got caught.

To satisfy my wonderings I went downstairs to the Highway Patrol Office and I found two very diligent Highway Patrol operatives who were happy to supply me with the info.

If you get on the interweb and have a look at the Australian Road Rules-Reg 292 you will find the following information:

AUSTRALIAN ROAD RULES - REG 292

Insecure or overhanging load

292 Insecure or overhanging load

A driver must not drive or tow a vehicle if the vehicle is carrying a load that:

(a) is not properly secured to the vehicle, or

(b) is placed on the vehicle in a way that causes the vehicle to be unstable, or

(c) projects from the vehicle in a way that is likely to injure a person, obstruct the path of other drivers or pedestrians, or damage a vehicle or anything else (for example, the road surface).

You do not have to memorise this regulation. All you need to remember is this. $425 and 3 points. It’s simple. I’ll say it again, $425 and three points. Easy. However just because you have netting or a floppy tarp on the load, it does not mean that you have complied with the act. You have to make sure that nothing can fall between gaps or through the netting at all. If it does, remember, $425 and 3 points.

So endeth the lesson

As always, in case of emergency, call (000)

Non Emergencies contact Police Link on 131444 or you’re local Police

To provide anonymous information call crime stoppers on 1800 333 000

Don’t forget. Cops are tops.