W Mercia set for check blitz
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by Amanda Bradbury • Multi-agency LGV checks in Hereford & Worcester and Shropshire will treble from the New Year as West Mercia traffic police target rogue hauliers.
Currently police in the region hold a major preplanned multi-agency LGV check twice a year: this is to rise to one every two to three months.
Head of traffic at West Mercia Police Mike Ashton says the type of offence committed by hauliers and drivers is becoming more deliberate and is of "serious concern and alarm".
The police crackdown follows a multi-agency check on the A40 at Ross on Wye. Herefordshire on 6 December in which half the 79 vehicles stopped had defects.
Five vehicles were issued with immediate prohibitions and three with delayed prohibitions; six vehicles were issued with defect rectification notices and 12 drivers were given verbal warnings as to the condition of their vehicles.
Three foreign drivers were also found to be breaking hours rules; 12 drivers were overloaded; 11 were reported for tachograph offences; one driver had no 0-licence and another had no vehicle excise licence.
Files have been passed to the Department of Transport which was unable to comment on how many prosecutions are proceeding as a result of the check.