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SA police see truck smoke, avert disaster

Police who saw smoke billowing from a moving truck averted a near disaster when they guided it through a packed Adelaide freeway intersection.

The truck was travelling about 70km/h as it approached the intersection of Glen Osmond Road, Portrush Road and Cross Road on Tuesday afternoon.

Two officers travelling in the other direction saw smoke coming from the truck's wheels and quickly contacted traffic management so lights at the intersection could be turned green.

The truck, which was carrying heavy mining equipment, was escorted through the intersection by police and was able to stop safely soon afterwards.

Police allege the truck had oil in its air tanks, causing its brakes to malfunction.

Superintendent Bob Fauser said the extraordinary work of the officers had prevented disaster.

Two people were killed at the intersection in August when a sewage truck travelling at high speed slammed into three stationary cars, prompting the government to introduce new speed limits for the area.

Supt Fauser said truck drivers had an obligation to ensure their vehicles were roadworthy.

"There are still parts of the heavy vehicle industry that are doing the right thing by their employees and the right thing by other road users," he told reporters.

"But clearly we have strong indications that as an industry, they need to do more to ensure that their vehicles are being properly maintained."

The 32-year-old Victorian truck driver was reported for driving without due care and regulatory offences.