Griffith Council Urges Road User Caution

In Short:

• • Griffith City Council has issued a road safety reminder as the 2026 grape harvest gets underway, urging all road users to exercise caution around heavy vehicles
  • Grape spills in previous seasons have resulted in drivers losing control or being unable to stop safely at intersections
  • Heavy vehicle operators face fines under environmental laws for spills, plus cleanup costs, while all motorists are urged to give trucks adequate space

Griffith City Council has issued a road safety reminder as the 2026 grape harvest gets underway, urging motorists and heavy vehicle operators to exercise caution to prevent spills that have caused crashes in previous seasons.

Director Infrastructure and Operations Phil King said the aim is to ensure this year's crop gets from the farm to receival points as intended rather than being spilled across the region's roads. With vintage now underway across the Riverina wine region, the annual influx of heavy vehicles transporting grapes creates additional challenges for road safety.

"I'd like to urge all motorists to comply with relevant legislation and allow heavy vehicles plenty of room while sharing the road. This not only ensures safety on the roads but minimises the potential for fruit and juice spills across the road network," Mr King said.

The warning follows incidents in previous harvest seasons where grape spills on roads resulted in other drivers losing control of their vehicles or being unable to safely stop at intersections. The combination of crushed grapes and juice creates extremely slippery road conditions that can catch unsuspecting motorists off guard, particularly at intersections where vehicles need to brake.

Mr King emphasised that operators and cartage contractors must comply with relevant legislation to ensure overloading does not occur and loads are carried correctly within the confines of vehicle load restrictions. The message is particularly relevant for regions beyond Griffith where grape transport vehicles may pass through communities including Hay, Balranald and other western Riverina towns en route to processing facilities.

Enforcement will be undertaken across the region throughout the harvest to ensure vehicles comply with restrictions and that loads are secured according to the Heavy Vehicle National Law Chain of Responsibility laws. When a grape spill occurs and vehicles are identified, heavy fines can be applied under the Protection of the Environment Operations Act and any additional costs associated with cleanups will also be passed on to operators.

The Chain of Responsibility laws mean that everyone in the supply chain, from consignors and packers to drivers and receivers, shares responsibility for ensuring vehicles are loaded and operated safely. This shared accountability aims to prevent overloading and inadequate load securing that can lead to spills.

Mr King advised that other road users also have a responsibility to give heavy vehicles the space needed to make their journeys as safe as possible. Consultation with heavy vehicle representatives confirmed that there have been many occasions when heavy vehicle drivers have been cut off or forced to take evasive action to avoid crashes due to drivers of smaller vehicles stopping suddenly or pulling out in front of trucks.

"Due to their size and weight, heavy vehicles obviously need more distance to stop and more room to turn so I urge all drivers to show courtesy and understand that the manoeuvrability of heavy vehicles is more extreme than that of a normal vehicle," Mr King said.

The reminder about giving heavy vehicles adequate space is particularly important during harvest season when truck movements increase significantly and drivers may be working long hours to transport produce during optimal conditions. Patient and courteous driving from all road users helps ensure everyone gets home safely.

Griffith City Council is asking the community to help by reporting any grape spills so action can be taken to clear the road and remove the danger to other road users as soon as possible. Quick reporting allows council crews to respond promptly, reducing the risk period for other motorists and preventing potential crashes.