Overloaded vehicles, defective tyres and drug driving offences uncovered as police operation targets commercial vehicles

Overloaded vehicles, defective tyres, driver’s hours and drug driving were just some of the offences uncovered during a week-long road safety operation held last week.

Held between three weighbridge sites – in Ewloe, Rhuddlan and Dalar Hir on Anglesey between Monday 15th and Friday 19th March.

Officers from North Wales Roads Policing Unit, Commercial Vehicle Unit, Special Constabulary Road Safety Unit and the DVSA (Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency) took part in Operation Blue Yawl where over 100 vehicles, mainly commercial vehicles, were taken into the three sites to be checked.

Throughout the week officers uncovered a number of offences including, defective tyres; vehicles not fitted with tachographs; overloaded vehicles; insecure loads; defective speed limiter; no number plates; no insurance; defective lights; excess drivers hours and no operator’s licence.

Police stopped a white transit van in Ewloe on Thursday due to “the manner of driving.”

The driver tested positive for cocaine and was arrested.

Police say the van was prohibited from moving by the DVSA as the indicators were defective.

The owner arranged recovery but due to the recovery vehicle’s chassis it was weighed and discovered to be overweight.

It then had to be left 10 metres away from where it had been collected.

The owner then had to arrange for a mechanic to attend and fix the original van at the roadside.

A vehicle carrying gas bottles was also stopped in Ewloe on Friday for checks to be carried out.

The van, which was carrying 20 Propane and Butane cylinders was found not to have the appropriate PPE under the Carriage of Dangerous Goods Regulations this included a fire extinguisher which was missing from the vehicle.

Sergeant Leigh Evans of the Roads Policing Unit said: “This operation was done as part of our ongoing commitment to keeping the roads safe for everyone and we will continue to take action against drivers who commit offences on our roads.”

“The results from the week speak for themselves. It’s shocking that a minority are still driving with overloaded vehicles, defective tyres and driving over their hours.”

“It is essential that drivers are aware that it is their responsibility to ensure that the vehicle they are using is road legal before commencing a journey.”

“It is disappointing that despite our repeated warnings that we regularly hold these types of operations, people continue to flout the law.”

“It is unacceptable that these drivers are further examples of those who are willing to put themselves, and others, in obvious danger.”

“Each motorists faults were dealt with at the roadside with officers from the various agencies giving advice.”

“Some of these were travelling long distances and had the faults not been identified there and then there could have been severe consequences along the way.”

He added: “Every day officers across various departments of the Force – from the Roads Policing Unit to our Neighbourhood Policing Teams and the Special Constabulary, undertake prevention and intervention activities on our roads.”

“This type of operation helps to highlight the ongoing work carried out, both by officers and with our partners at the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency.”

“We will continue to focus on road safety and work together to make the roads of North Wales even safer.”

Anyone with information regarding individuals who are believed to drive whilst over the legal limit or under the influence of drink or drugs can contact North Wales Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Commercial vehicle information can be found on https://www.gov.uk/browse/driving

Load security and Hazchem information can be found via https://www.hse.gov.uk/