Police clampdown on 'dangerous' vehicles on A1 during national week of action
More than three-quarters of lorries and heavy goods vehicles stopped during a recent road safety operation in the North-East were found to be dangerous or unlawful.
Northumbria Police say one lorry was more than two-and-a-half tonnes over its legal weight and three drivers were found to be uninsured.
One 44-tonne HGV was also found to have a faulty tyre with a large hole in the centre of the tread – posing a significant danger to other road users.
It comes as Innerleiten's been chosen to take part in a new community speed watch scheme - which will see volunteers trained to use speed guns, and warning letters sent to any drivers found breaking the limit.
Sergeant Glen Robson, who oversaw the week of action for Northumbria Police, said: “The results speak for themselves and reinforce why it’s absolutely crucial that we support these types of operations.
“Sadly we know all too well of the devastating consequences caused by having unsecure loads or poor vehicle conditions. Lorries and HGVs can pose a significant and real danger to all road users if they are driven illegally.
“Whether that’s the driver being uninsured or the vehicles themselves being over the legal weight limit or having serious defects, all these scenarios increase the risk of causing serious or fatal injuries to your family member or your loved one.
“We all have a collective responsibility to make our roads as safe as they possibly can be, by driving or riding with care and consideration to reduce the number of collisions that destroy families.
“I would like to thank everyone who was involved in this operation, including our officers, colleagues from other Forces and the wider public. We will continue to work together to do all we can to keep our roads safe.”
Northumbria Police’s Operation Dragoon and Motor Patrols teamed up with North Yorkshire Police, Durham Constabulary, the Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency and Immigration Enforcement during a national week of action.
In total, 70 lorries and HGVs were stopped near the Tyne Tunnel, Tyne Dock, Teesport and on the A1. Of those, 54 were found to be unsafe by way of having mechanical or vehicle defects, being an illegal weight or carrying insecure loads.
A spokesperson for the campaign said: "As ever, officers are asking all motorists to continue to carry out simple checks before setting off to make sure they are as safe as possible on the region’s roads.
"Please check your tyres, brakes, oil, lights and water levels prior to any journey, and any item capable of being thrown from or bouncing out of a vehicle must be secured.
"Drivers are also reminded of the speed restrictions that are in place for their class of vehicle and ensure they are adhered to at all times.
"If you have dashcam footage showing somebody driving dangerously, you can submit it online."
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