400 lorries checked in crack down on dangerous vehicles (From Falmouth Packet)

400 lorries checked in crack down on dangerous vehicles

10:31am Monday 29th October 2012 in News

Officers from Devon and Cornwall Police and the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) have checked over 400 lorries as part of a crack down on dangerous vehicles.

Almost 1200 offences were detected, ranging from drivers failing to record their details correctly on tachograph charts to drivers driving for up to 18 hours in one period, well above the permitted 10 hours. Total fines imposed by way of graduated fixed penalty notices exceeded £25,000.

During the operation a heavy goods vehicle valued at around £80,000 was impounded. The lorry was detained by the police who then alerted VOSA who have the powers to impound illegally operated vehicles. It  may not be returned to its owner as it did not adhere to the strict rules for foreign drivers on British roads.

Operation Fatigue ran until the middle of October 2012 and saw over 400 goods vehicles stopped as they travelled the main road.

Almost 180 of these vehicles were employed by companies outside Great Britain.

 Coordinator of the operation, Sergeant Richard Gordon from Camborne said: “There are many operators who obey the laws and maintain their vehicles to a good standard. However, there are those who will flout the law and put other road users in danger.

“Operations such as these send a clear message to rogue operators that we are out there, checking on the condition and use of goods vehicles and will prosecute and prohibit wherever appropriate.

“A tired lorry driver could cause untold damage and we did not hesitate during this operation to prohibit a number of vehicles from being driven for up to 45 hours."

VOSA Area Manager Andrew Sauerzapf said: “I am pleased that VOSA and the police working jointly have impounded an illegally operated vehicle which is the ultimate sanction to deal with persistent offenders who do not operate in accordance with regulations. This has been a very positive and immediate effect on fair competition rules and road safety.”