Last week’s return to grey, wet weather and slippery roads caught several drivers off guard and, in one case, off-track completely.
Early last Wednesday morning, a semi-trailer driver from Shepparton travelled for several kilometres on the wrong side of the Hume freeway between Craigieburn and Campbellfield.
There were several reports to police before the 64-year-old truckie was stopped by Epping police near Cooper Street.
The truck driver was given a roadside drug test, which returned a positive reading, followed by a blood sample analysis. The man has been charged with six offences, including two counts of conduct endangering life, dangerous driving and driving while impaired, and was bailed to appear in the Shepparton Magistrates Court on June 23.
The second incident occurred later the same night on the same freeway at nearby Thomastown.
A car and a truck travelling in adjoining lanes became wedged together when the truck changed lanes and clipped the car. The car was dragged along the freeway for several kilometres before its driver was able to attract the truckie’s attention by waving bright orange electrical equipment out his window.
Neither the car driver, a Greensborough man in his 40s, nor the truck driver, a New South Wales man also in his 40s, was injured.
Again Epping highway patrol was on the scene.
The truck driver received infringement notices for failing to give way and for a vehicle defection.
Senior Constable Scott Cowan asked motorists to take account of weather conditions and be more alert when visibility is low.
