Unsafe vehicles targeted in police operation

North Yorkshire Police worked with the Driver Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) on the crackdown

A police operation targeting unsafe vehicles on the A1 in North Yorkshire has found most vehicles pulled over had an excess load, or were in an overall dangerous condition.

Last Friday the North Yorkshire force worked with the Driver Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) which resulted in 23 vehicles being inspected.

Various issues were pointed out to drivers including insecure items, worn trailer lashings, loose wheel nuts and cracked windscreens, North Yorkshire Police said.

The force issued 10 prohibition orders, which required drivers to stop driving immediately, and 15 traffic offences were also reported.

Police warned that unsafe vehicles were a threat to all road users

Insp Clive Turner said: "One of the main problems that we have is drivers loading flatbed vehicles and then not fastening things down - which means that part of the load can come free, and this could cause a serious road traffic collision."

He said unsafe vehicles were a "threat to all road users".

"Before setting off it is the responsibility of the driver to ensure that their vehicle is fit for purpose and check it is appropriate for the loads being carried."

The force said operations such as this are "invaluable" for enforcement purposes and help prevent serious incidents on the road network.

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