Mercia truck blitz
Page 10
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
• West Mercia police are setting up a specialist team to check LGVs, following a campaign in the summer which found 94% of the trucks stopped were defective.
In the three-month pilot study during police officers and Vehicle Inspectorate staff stopped 198 trucks-186 of them were breaking the law.
Just over half were minor infringements and the drivers were cautioned, but 38% were found to be serious enough to merit prosecutions.
One vehicle had four tyres so badly worn that they showed steel reinforcements; a number of trailers either had no braking system or one that was improperly connected.
The range and volume of offences surprised even experienced examiners says to Sargeant Mark Smith, who is to head the new unit.
Drivers going through the police force area—Hereford & Worcester, and Shropshire-can expect random spot checks on a permanent basis.