Police intercept drivers on M42 in multi-agency road safety operation

In a multi-agency road safety operation with Staffordshire Police we intercepted and checked 22 drivers and vehicles were safe and legal as they travelled through the region on the M42 Warwickshire and Staffordshire border. 

The operation on Monday 27 January, took place on the first day of a two-week national NPCC commercial vehicle operation that aims to reduce the number of people killed and injured on our roads.

Starting early in the morning, our police motorcyclists intercepted 16 vans, one HGV, three  7.5ton lorries and 2 cars on the busy motorway and escorted them into the multi agency check site at Tamworth MOTO Services to be inspected.  We also checked four trailers that were being towed.

As a result of checks by our Operational Patrol Unit (OPU), Abnormal Loads, Rural Crime team, Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) and Staffordshire Police Road Crime Team, four traffic offence reports were issued, and the drivers of four overweight vehicles were immediately prohibited from continuing  their journeys until the load was safely reduced.  This meant the driver had to organise for another vehicle to come to the check site to take some of the load.

Two drivers were fined by the DVSA for tachograph offences and one for registration plate issues.

One HGV driver was reported straight to court for not having an operator’s licence, failing to have or use a tachograph and for excess weight.  He was prohibited from driving for 48 hours and had to pay for the vehicle to be recovered.

We provided words of advice to drivers on a range of topics including vehicle windows being excessively tinted and we asked them to remove the tints before continuing their journey. Three drivers and their vehicles passed the checks and continued their journey without delay. 

PC Keil Hetherington said “We were particularly concerned about drivers being unaware of the weight limits of their vehicles and subsequently driving whilst overloaded. This is particularly dangerous as it affects handling, tyres and braking so is something we will continue to focus on.

“In terms of making our roads safer, it was a hugely successful morning and we will continue to work with partners to organise regular operations to check all aspects of driver and vehicle safety to make our roads as safe as possible for everyone.”

Paul Thomas, DVSA said “Drivers are responsible for the condition of the vehicle they are driving so please make it a habit to check tyre condition, brakes, lights, indicators, steering, and seatbelt are all working before setting off. “ 

PS Tony McKenzie of Staffordshire Police said “It was really good to work with Warwickshire and road safety partners to learn off each other to improve our skills for next time.”

“We’re determined to keep working in collaboration with neighbouring police forces across proactive initiatives like this to target those not adhering to road safety standards and putting other motorists at risk.”

You can watch a short video of the op here https://youtu.be/zrPbVyvQXKg