Police carry out spot checks to ensure HGV safety

The Commercial Vehicle Unit at Essex Police took part in the four-day operation

Roads policing officers issued penalty notices and warnings about dangerous loads during spot checks on HGVs using the region's roads.

Eighty-six lorries were checked during the four-day Operation Chemical, which took place on the A11 in Norfolk, the A14 in Suffolk, the M11 in Essex and the A1(M) in Cambridgeshire.

Officers checked vehicles for the safe carriage of dangerous goods, as well as roadworthiness and driver welfare.

Sgt Jason Dearsley, of Essex Police, said: "It's important that the movement of goods is done safely and the regulations covering the carriage of dangerous goods is very stringent to protect everyone who uses our roads."

The operation, carried out between 7 and 10 May, brought together Commercial Vehicle Units (CVUs) from Essex, Norfolk and Suffolk forces, as well as the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency.

Earlier this year, the driver of this lorry was convicted after attempting to harness nitrogen gas canisters with one ratchet strap - after the lorry shed its load on the Beeleigh Link roundabout last July

Sgt Dearsley said: "We had to intervene after we found 10 drivers were driving outside their driver hours, meaning they could put themselves at risk through lower levels of concentration caused by driving for too long without a break.

"Unbelievably, one HGV was being driven by a driver without an HGV licence."

Four drivers were issued penalty notices, 16 drivers were given warnings or advice - and one incident would require further inquiries due to a radioactive shipment, police said.

Twelve vehicles were stopped for overweight loads, eight for insecure loads and eight drivers were not wearing seatbelts.

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