Police crackdown stops lorry drivers with 'seriously' unsafe loads

POLICE officers targeted commercial and heavy goods vehicles at Ashley Heath in a crackdown on those carrying excess weight.

Nine vehicles were found to be overloaded, including a Ford Transit van with a load of load of pallets which was almost two tons over its limit.

Two other vehicles were found to have no tachographs – which record speed, distance and driving time – while another was seized for the driver not having valid insurance.

Three drivers were prevented from continuing their journeys as their vehicles were deemed “seriously” unsafe.

One driver had an offensive weapon seized, a baseball bat left on the vehicle’s back seat, while another was reported for driving while disqualified.

Numerous other vehicles were dealt with for offences including no MOTs, missing number plates, defective tyres, waste offences, drivers not wearing seatbelts and non-payment of the HGV levy.

Dorset Police carried out the operation in conjunction with HM Revenue and Customs, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, the DVLA, the Environment Agency, Datatag and the National Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service.

Inspector Joe Pardey, of Dorset Police traffic unit, said: “It’s important we target all road users, and the results from today’s operation, which forms part of a national week of action around heavy goods vehicles, demonstrates our commitment to ensuring the roads are as safe as possible for all.

“If you have concerns about road users in your community, please report them to us by visiting www.dorset.police.uk or by calling 101.”