SW blitz reaps results
Page 11
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
• Avon and Somerset police are warning hauliers they will be "doubly diligent" at roadside checks after finding defects in more than 43% of trucks stopped in a blitz last week.
Prohibition notices were issued against one in three of the 111 trucks stopped on the M5 on the Somerset-Devon border. And a further 14 defect notices were issued for less serious defects at the checkpoint near Sampford Peverell in Devon.
The most common faults were tyres and brakes, says inspector Terry Beale, "but we found faults across the board," he adds.
He believes the operators' casual attitude to overloading, for which 27% of the trucks were stopped, is evidence that there is a "worrying trend" towards regular overloading. "In the past at least they pretended to he surprised when you caught them," he says.
He plans another spot check in the area before Christmas.
Last week's check was timed to coincide with the arrival of ferries from Roscoff and Santander.