Police and VOSA impound £80,000 lorry in crackdown on HGV drivers
An HGV worth £80,000 has been impounded by police as part of a three-week operation targeting lorry drivers in Devon and Cornwall.
Devon and Cornwall Police and the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) worked together during a three week operation aimed at reducing road casualties and collisions in the force area.
-
Operation Fatigue, which has just concluded, ran saw more than 400 goods vehicles stopped as they travelled the main road.
Almost 180 of these vehicles were employed by companies outside Great Britain.
BUY ONE GET ONE FREE - Medium Cod, Chips & Mushy Peas at...
View details
Simply Purchase a Medium Cod, Chips and Mushy Peas and receive another portion for FREE.
Sustainable Cod, Fresh Cut Chips & Proper Mushy Peas.
Visit Our Website for more information and offers
Terms: Offer valid only with this Voucher, 1 voucher Per Customer. Not for use with any other offer, Not transferable to other menu items
Contact: 01752 421044
Valid until: Thursday, June 27 2013
The impounded lorry was detained by the police who then alerted VOSA who have the powers to hold illegally operated vehicles.
The lorry may not be returned to its owner as it did not adhere to the strict rules for foreign drivers on British roads.
Almost 1200 offences were detected, ranging from drivers failing to record their details correctly on tachograph charts to drivers driving for up to 18 hours in one period, well above the permitted 10 hours.
Total fines imposed by way of graduated fixed penalty notices exceeded £25,000.
Coordinator of the operation, Sergeant Richard Gordon from Camborne said: “There are many operators who obey the laws and maintain their vehicles to a good standard.
“However, there are those who will flout the law and put other road users in danger.
“Operations such as these send a clear message to rogue operators that we are out there, checking on the condition and use of goods vehicles and will prosecute and prohibit wherever appropriate.
“A tired lorry driver could cause untold damage and we did not hesitate during this operation to prohibit a number of vehicles from being driven for up to 45 hours."
VOSA Area Manager Andrew Sauerzapf said: “I am pleased that VOSA and the Police working jointly have impounded an illegally operated vehicle which is the ultimate sanction to deal with persistent offenders who do not operate in accordance with regulations. This has been a very positive and immediate effect on fair competition rules and road safety.”
Similar operations will be run by the force during the coming months.
Comments
by MPstink1
Saturday, October 27 2012, 12:48AM
“A very small result for the police and VOSA...jobsworth performing poorly as usual.”
by Slobba
Friday, October 26 2012, 5:36PM
“Ok, so the vehicle is impounded, what has happened to the driver, is he asleep in the cab and then let off to go on his merry way or will he be fined?
I doubt that will happen, when did we last see a foreign lorry driver in the Magistrates Court for tachograph offences or any other type of misdemeanor.”