The trucking industry says most vehicles are safe - but regulators need stronger powers to impound those that aren't

It's pushing for tougher rules after Auckland operator Ashik Ali was jailed for manslaughter when his banned truck's failed brakes killed a road worker.

National Road Carriers Association chief executive Justin Tighe-Umbers says the system needs to catch operators who skip maintenance, to save money.

He says customers also need to be more aware of that, adding there's too many who are happy to take a cheap trade on a truck.