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Six
police forces from across the south west have continued their efforts in
improving road safety and driver behaviour on our roads by targeting
commercial vehicles in a national operation codenamed ‘Mermaid’.
Police forces from Avon and Somerset, Devon and Cornwall, Dorset, Dyfed
Powys, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire carried out an intelligence led
operation on known and suspected offending operators and drivers of
commercial vehicles.
Nearly 400 vehicles were checked by police and their
partners from VOSA (Vehicle and Operator Services Agency), HMCE,
Environment Agency and the RSPCA.
123 of the vehicles were found to be defective or the drivers
committing offences. 16 vehicles were found with defects that
were considered serious enough to prevent them travelling further, with
a further 14 given time to rectify less serious problems. The main
defects identified were brakes and tyres.
One such vehicle was found to be overweight on its front axle, further
examination of that axle found that eight out of eight wheel nuts on the
driver’s side wheel and three out of eight on the passenger side were
loose. The vehicle’s exhaust was also defective.
In all 170 offences and defects were found ranging from defective brakes
to driver’s hours, overweight and driver document offences. 1 person
was arrested for a crime related matter and 2 more for driving whilst
disqualified.
Eight drivers of large goods vehicles stopped from across the UK and
Europe were found to have been committing offences that resulted in them
being prevented from driving further because examination of their
tachographs had shown that they had already been driving too long.
A further twenty-one vehicles were prevented from travelling any further
because they were overweight.
Ch.Insp Tony Oliver of the Avon and Somerset Road Policing unit, who
chairs the group co-ordinating the regional operation said “The fact
that over 400 vehicles have been checked using the roads of the south
west in one day shows that road policing units across the region take
road safety seriously.
"We and our partner agencies are committed to reducing casualties
on our roads and improving driver behaviour.
"What continues to concern us is that brakes and tyres are the most
prevalent defects found on vehicles. At a time of year when roads are
wet and slippery, worn brakes and tyres can increase the likelihood of
being involved in a collision. I would urge drivers of all vehicles,
particularly those of commercial vehicles to make sure that their
vehicles are well maintained and regular checks are carried out.”
Commenting on the number of drivers who had been found driving large
lorries longer than they should Ch.Insp. Oliver added “There are
drivers who are driving for longer than they should and are in all
probability are very tired.
"A driver suffering the effects of driver fatigue is as likely to
be involved in a collision that results in death or serious injury as a
drink driver.
"We are approaching the time of year when the haulage industry is
traditionally very busy and unfortunately on some occasions drivers are
put under pressure to deliver goods on a very strict time schedule. This
can encourage drivers to flout the law.
"In the coming weeks, Road policing units throughout the region and
their partners will be stepping up their efforts to stop and check
drivers of large vehicles throughout the day and night to make sure that
they comply with the law.
"I would remind operators that they could be liable should their
vehicle and driver become involved in a serious or fatal accident and it
is found that that they have driven for longer than they should”.
The operation also concentrated on preventing and detecting known
criminal activity within the haulage industry that loses millions of
pounds annually in stolen lorries and loads
Ch.Insp Oliver said “As well as checking the drivers we also
checked the loads to ensure that they are not stolen. Again this will
continue in the run up to Christmas when it has been proven that theft
of lorries and their loads increases throughout our region.
"Operations such as Mermaid send a clear message to individuals who
knowingly flout the rules or engage in criminal activity within the
haulage industry, that we are targeting them successfully.
"We will work tirelessly to ensure that the roads of the Southwest
are safe."
Source:
Avon and Somerset Police
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