Driver fined £900 as 30 commercial vehicles stopped by police on A14 and A6 during Northamptonshire Police checks

Reducing the number of people killed or seriously injured on Northamptonshire’s roads was once again the focus of a commercial vehicle day of action held in the north of the county.

Northants Police’s tactical operations department and partners from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) joined forces for the enforcement day on Thursday, October 15.

Throughout the day, officers on marked and unmarked police motorcycles intercepted drivers travelling along the A14 and A6 corridors and escorted them to a check site at Rothwell Truck Stop, where checks for offences were conducted.

Targeting commercial drivers using our major road network illegally and irresponsibly, the team stopped 30 vehicles to check for roadworthiness, driver hours and compliance with Health & Safety Executive legislation for the carriage of dangerous goods.

Of those stopped, 11 were issued with immediate prohibition notices which prevented the drivers from leaving the check site until defects and offences had been rectified.

Seven of these were for unroadworthy tyres, while other mechanical issues included non-working indicators and brake lights, exhaust and braking deficiencies, insecurely transporting loads and illegal vehicle modifications.

One vehicle was seized for no insurance, while three others were found to have weight issues and the drivers were handed fixed penalty notices.

A further three operators will be subject to a follow-up intervention by the DVSA and police.

Of the five dangerous goods vehicles stopped during the operation, one of the drivers was issued with words of advice and ordered to rectify the problem after their vehicle was found not to have the required fire extinguishers.

One vehicle was issued with a DVSA delayed prohibition notice after it was found to have emission and suspension faults, and one driver was issued with a total of £900 in fines for having no tachograph, failing to produce records and taking insufficient rest.

Forensic collision investigator and specialist vehicle examiner, Sergeant Chris Gray, said: “We all have a responsibility to help keep our roads safe.

"However, businesses in the transport and logistics industry have an extra duty to make sure their drivers are fit to drive and their vehicles are safe to be on the road.

“These enforcement days are part of an ongoing campaign. It is disappointing that we still find commercial vehicles on our major roads which are unsafe or do not have the equipment and paperwork required by law.

“Reducing the number of people killed or seriously injured on our roads remains a priority for Northamptonshire Police and working with our partners, we will continue to carry out these operations to help ensure everyone gets home safely.”

Anyone with information about road safety concerns or any vehicle crime is asked to report it online at www.northants.police.uk/reportonline or call Northamptonshire Police on 101. Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

Always call 999 in the event of an emergency, such as a crime in progress or where life is at risk.