Dorset Police’s Traffic Unit joined forces with staff from partner agencies to check vehicles travelling through Dorset.
On Wednesday 22 January , officers from Dorset Police, the Environment Agency, VOSA (Vehicle Operating Standards Agency), the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the Department for Work and Pensions stopped a total of 37 vehicles as they travelled along the A31 and A338 at the Ashley Heath weigh bridge.
The initiative was part of a nationally-staged operation across England and Wales to identify drivers of Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) committing offences on the road.
Of the 37 vehicles stopped, a total of 21 offences were detected. Nine vehicles were stopped for being overweight and were prohibited from further use until the issue had been rectified. Four HGVs were stopped for lighting and tyre offences and three others for minor traffic offences.
Five tachograph offences were detected during the day, including drivers taking insufficient weekly rest and failing to provide relevant records.
Some drivers were found to be claiming benefits while employed.
Police Constable Heidi Moxam, road casualty reduction co-ordinator, said: “The aim of the day was to identify those heavy goods vehicles that are not complying with legislation in a bid to make the roads of Dorset safer. We also detected offences, disrupted criminality and provided reassurance to the public.
“It is disappointing that a number of the vehicles we stopped and checked were found to have offences.
“Tachograph charts ensure that drivers of Heavy Goods Vehicles do not overwork and take appropriate rest so they stay alert and safe on our roads.
“This operation is a good example of Dorset Police working together with other agencies to target drivers and vehicles in a bid to make sure that everyone using our roads is doing so as safely as possible.”
