Van driver lands in a load of trouble as part of Northamptonshire's road safety crackdown

'Jobsworth' officers seize face volley of abuse seizing "unsafe, unlicensed" vehicle
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Traffic cops revealed how the were abused by a van driver during a clampdown on vehicles with unsafe loads as part of Northamptonshire Police's road safety campaign.

But they had the last laugh as the van and trailer it was towing were seized and the driver charged with a string of offences during the Operation Journey effort.

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PC Dave Lee, of the Northamptonshire Police's Safer Roads Team, said: "Our officers were repeatedly verbally abused by the driver and passenger of the van.

"Part of his continued abuse was that we were jobsworths and he had no intentions of listening to us...

"When the vehicle was brought into the check site none of the straps were securing the load and cord showed on the trailer tyre. Also, the driver did not have the correct licence to tow so the vehicle was seized and driver reported for offences

“Drivers who do not secure their loads properly are not only putting themselves at risk, but also the safety of others.

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“Insecure and unsafe loads can shift causing injury to drivers, or fall into the road causing injury to other roads users or pedestrians. This operation is not just about enforcement, it is about improving road safety by changing driver behaviour.

Officers seized this van and trailer as part of their Operation Journey crackdown. Photo: Northamptonshire PoliceOfficers seized this van and trailer as part of their Operation Journey crackdown. Photo: Northamptonshire Police
Officers seized this van and trailer as part of their Operation Journey crackdown. Photo: Northamptonshire Police

“We are asking all drivers carrying heavy loads to ensure they are secured before setting off and to check they remain secure during the journey at regular intervals. Road safety is all of our responsibilities."

Officers from the Safer Roads Team, Serious Collision Investigation Unit and the Special Constabulary, were supported by DVSA and HMRC Road Fuel at static check sites set up across the county.

Vehicles were intercepted by both marked and unmarked police vehicles and escorted to the check sites where officers looked for load issues as well as checked fuel, tax, insurance, tyres and the vehicle’s general condition.

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PC Lee added: "Operation Journey was launched earlier this month and will focus on different aspects of road safety each week. But the overall aim remains the same: To reduce the number of people who are killed or seriously injured on our roads.

"In its first week 157 road offences were successfully dealt with, 17 illegal vehicles taken of our roads and 2 people arrested. Making our roads and county safer!"

Last year 42 people were killed and a further 347 seriously injured (KSI) across the county’s road network — the highest number recorded in eight years.