by Patrick Houk
Page 7
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• Police launched a sharp crackdown last week, specifically targeting foreign-registered LGVs In separate operations police joined the Vehicle Inspectorate in detecting a range of offences including drivers' hours, overweight vehicles and smuggling.
In the first multi-agency foreign vehicle check for five years in the area, 41 foreign-registered LGVs were stopped on the M6 at Perry Bar a week last Tuesday (9 August). The foreign check came amid fears that many foreign drivers are exceeding permitted drivers' hours.
The five-hour operation, which is to be repeated regularly from now on, was headed by Chief Inspector Paul Austen of West Midlands Police: "Our prime concern in this part of the country is fatigue. This is particularly true of foreign drivers who may think that the rest on the ferry is enough for them."
In a similar swoop at the end of last month, a total of 40 Thames Valley police officers, Vehicle Inspectors, Customs officers and RSPCA officials carried out a series of checks on foreign vehicles on the A34 near Abingdon.
Although a regular feature in the area, this was the first such operation on the A34, one of the major routes used by LGVs travelling to and from Southampton.