'Can't legislate against stupidity': Oversized truck barrels through Sydney Airport Tunnel
A truck driver who ignored a height restriction warning and barreled though Sydney’s Airport Tunnel is now facing a $2000 fine and the loss of six demerit points.
His rig ripped out the sprinkler system on Thursday morning causing long delays for thousands of drivers.
A nearby driver captured the moment the truck ripped off the sprinkler heads and set them all off, drenching the road and bringing traffic to a grinding halt.
Roads Minister Melinda Pavey told 7 News said she understood the grief the incident caused Sydney road users but they were unable to “legislate against stupidity”.
"It's discourteous, it's stupid and this guy how do you get it wrong by 30 centimetres?” she said.
"I emphasise with those commuters that were caught in that traffic congestion this morning but we can't legislate against stupidity".
The truck involved was registered to Combined Warehousing Services, a company that is now expected to be slapped with the tunnel damage bill.
When 7 News approached the manager off camera this afternoon, he suggested the government should build higher tunnels.
The truck is now facing de-registration.
Urban Taskforce’s Chris Johnson said it was proof that changes must be made.
"You must get the design right, you must anticipate the scale of vehicles and trucks that are going to go through these tunnels."
