Brakes are the top fault • Hauliers are wilfully continuing
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to defy the law, according to Vehicle Inspectorate figures from last week's Operation Mermaid nationwide lorry check of more than 5,000 vehicles.
Vehicle Examiners inspected 2,629 vehicles and handed out 319 immediate and 370 delayed prohibitions on 7 April. Once again, the main defect was faulty brakes.
Traffic Examiners checked 2,660 vehicles-782 offences required further investigation and 409 verbal warnings were given for minor infringements. Of the vehicles checked, 698 were weighed, with 70 (10%) prohibited for overloading. Police figures will be available later this week.
In January's check, 4,000 vehicles were examined and 410 prohibitions issued.
O South East Police will target recovery vehicles in roadside checks next month. Officers will check for correct axle loads, in particular, and for stolen trucks. Richard Bratton, accident prevention officer for Bedfordshire Police, says there is a strong cowboy element in the industry using inappropriate and unsafe vehicles and equipment.
Overloading the rear axle of a recovery truck with a disabled vehicle can cause the front axle to go light, adversely affecting the steering and braking.
Meanwhile checks will be made to see if the driver owns the vehicle. Great numbers of recovery trucks—particularly with cranes on board—are stolen and taken abroad to sell.