The efforts of roads policing officers are continuing every day to enforce against those who pose a risk on our roads to reduce serious and fatal collisions.
It cannot be ignored that road traffic collisions involving heavy goods vehicles and those carrying loads can have catastrophic consequences.
The laws around driver’s hours, weight and vehicle safety are there for a reason – to prevent death and serious injury on our roads.
Roads policing officers carry out regular operations alongside partners in the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) to identify drivers taking risks on the motorway network.
The last operation was carried out in February, and since then there have been a further six fatal collisions.
Last week during a three-day operation by South Yorkshire officers, held between Wednesday 3 and Friday 5 April, officers stopped 67 vehicles on the A1.
Of those stopped, offences included failing to rest for the correct period, breaching drivers’ hours and exceeding the weight restrictions of the vehicle. Further offences identified included vehicle defects and failing to wear a seatbelt.
The drivers received Graduated Fixed Penalty Notices, Traffic Offence Reports, prohibitions and one driver was reported on summons to court for being overweight, having a vehicle in a dangerous condition and driving without insurance. The vehicle was also seized.
Roads Policing Inspector Matt Collings explains why these operations are invaluable. He said:
“We are often met with criticism around this type of operation, believing they are about generating income through fines. This couldn’t be further from the truth. As roads policing officers, we have to deliver the message to families that their loved one has died in a collision.
“Clearly collisions involving larger vehicles can be devastating, which is why we’re committed to working with partners to make these vehicles as safe as they should be, to reduce casualties and fatalities. These operations are about changing people’s mindsets and saving lives.
“We are committed to making the roads of South Yorkshire safer, but we need the public’s help.
“You can’t be responsible for other people’s actions, but you can your own.
“We all have a part to play in creating safer roads and I hope the penalties imposed make drivers think twice and change their behaviour.”
