A motion inhibiting system can fail and cause uncontrolled heavy vehicle movement, transport officials warned.
Authorities recently cracked down on cardan shaft park brakes that do not prevent runaway trucks and service vehicles.
Changing loads or unstable surfaces can cause the cardan shaft (also known as a driveshaft or transmission type) park brake to fail especially when parked on slopes. In the past decade at least four such failures resulted in workplace fatalities according to official data.
“There have been several incidents where the cardan shaft park brake has failed and the vehicle has rolled away,” the Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency said in a safety alert.
“We are aware of other unreported incidents.”
The agency recommends either parking on flat, non-slip surfaces or using wheel chocks. Park brakes should never be applied during movement to minimise the risk of damage.
“The park brake must be fully engaged to the manufacturer’s recommended setting. The park brake lever may require more force than an operator is used to, especially if they do not use a vehicle with this type of park brake regularly,” it said.
“If the weight of the vehicle is increased through loading, the amount of braking initially applied may not be enough to hold the heavier vehicle and it may roll away.”
Owners must ensure that any person driving their vehicle knows that:
- it is fitted with a cardan shaft park brake
- limits and dangers exist
- safety precautions must be taken when parking
- park brakes must not be applied during movement
- the park brake control lever may require more force than a driver is used to.
Click here to read the full safety alert.
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