The latest part of a nationwide network aimed at improving road safety and regulatory compliance for heavy vehicles is up and running.

Located on State Highway 59, between the Mackays Crossing and Paekākāriki interchanges, the CVSC is the eighth of 12 planned centres around the country to become operational. 

Tara Macmillan, Head of Commercial Transport Regulation, says the facility is a significant advancement in the way NZTA/Waka Kotahi targets unsafe heavy vehicles and supports safer freight movement. 

“The new approach for CVSCs allows us to identify potentially unsafe heavy vehicles in real time and intervene quickly when needed. That means safer roads for everyone.”

“It is also good news for the vast majority of freight operators who do the right thing every day. Targeting those that flout the rules or try to short-cut the system means operators doing the right thing are not being undercut by those who choose not to. This creates a more level playing field when it comes to doing business,” Ms Macmillan says. 

Between 2012 and 2021, heavy goods vehicles were involved in over 20 percent of fatal crashes.

Ms Macmillan says given heavy commercial vehicles account for around eight to 12 percent of all road traffic, improving safety outcomes is critical.

“It is important that enforcement focuses on the highest-risk vehicles and operators.”

“Technology such as in-road scales and automatic number plate recognition cameras help identify higher-risk vehicles while they are travelling. Those vehicles can then be directed into the CVSC for further checks. It means responsible operators can go about their business with fewer interventions,” Ms Macmillan says. 

The centres are already proving their worth. Ms Macmillan says where CVSCs are operating, compliance is improving.

“Even when physical centres are not open, vehicle screening is occurring 24 hours a day, seven days a week providing valuable data for compliance follow up.”

“We have seen decreases in the numbers of overloaded vehicles and trucks with expired Certificates of Fitness. That is great news for road safety,” Ms Macmillan says

Ms Macmillan thanks the Kāpiti community for their understanding as the local CVSC has been built and highway infrastructure put in place.

“The work required at State Highway 1 at Mackays Crossing has not been without its challenges. We know the lane closures and night works needed for getting the gantries and in-road weigh stations in place did affect road users.”

“We appreciate the patience and understanding they showed at the time. We know this new facility will deliver significant benefits for the wider Wellington region,” Ms Macmillan says.

As well as supporting compliance activity, the Mackays CVSC will provide valuable information about heavy vehicle movements on the Kāpiti Coast. This will help NZTA/Waka Kotahi identify emerging risks and make better-informed safety decisions.