MORE than 30 heavy vehicles failed a safety audit during a recent operation on the Sturt Highway at Daveyston.
Police ran the operation last Friday, with help from vehicle inspectors from the Transport Department.
Of the 106 heavy vehicles tested, 32 failed inspection and were issued with a major defect.
Brevet Sergeant Bryan Dicker, from the Barossa Local Service Area, said defects were issued mainly due to brake failures.
In one case, a defect was given after a steering wheel fell apart while being examined.
"One vehicle was grounded and towed from the scene," he said.
"Ten were issued with infringement notices."
Police said the high level of defects was concerning, but that there had been improvements in the area of load security.
"This may be due to changes where responsibility for securing loads is shared between those who load the vehicle as well as the driver," Sgt Dicker said.
"We will continue to run several operations of this type a year, so heavy vehicle drivers are generally on notice that their trucks are likely to be inspected."
