NZTA issues safety alert for heavy vehicle towing

NZ Transport Agency issues safety alert for heavy vehicle towing connections and components

The NZ Transport Agency has issued a safety alert strongly advising heavy vehicle operators to be vigilant in cleaning and checking towing connections and components certified by Auckland-based heavy vehicle specialist certifier Patrick Chu (Transport & Structure Ltd).

There has been sub-standard work identified in certain heavy vehicle specialist certifications issued by Mr Chu. These include both towing connection and chassis certifications. Eight certifications have also been revoked.

The Transport Agency has safety concerns resulting from some of Mr Chu’s certifications and it strongly advises operators who have a vehicle certified by Mr Chu to be extra vigilant about safety. This includes cleaning and inspecting the towing connections, components, and ensuring they are re-checked if any issues are identified.

The Transport Agency is currently analysing certain files relating to certifications issued by Mr Chu and will immediately update vehicle owners if any risk to their vehicle is identified. The numbers of potentially impacted vehicles are yet to be confirmed.

At this time certifications issued by Patrick Chu that have not been revoked by the Transport Agency remain valid.

Mr Chu is one of several heavy vehicle specialist certifiers that the Transport Agency has had safety concerns with this year. The others are Nelson’s Peter Wastney, Lower Hutt’s Dick Joyce and Timaru’s Adam McFarlane. All were suspended. Mr McFarlane’s appointment has since been partially reinstated.

Read the safety alert and Q&As here: https://www.nzta.govt.nz/vehicles/vehicle-safety-alerts/

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