Half of vehicles stopped in autumn checks faulty

The checks were held in conjunction with the vehicle test centre and customs and excise officers

Half of the vehicles stopped by Isle of Man police officers during an autumn and winter crackdown had defects.

Police stopped 276 motorists during the three-week campaign, which ran until 13 November.

Of those stopped, 138 vehicles had at least one fault, the most common being a defective light. Police said while 115 of those faults had resulted in defect rectification notices, 13 drivers were handed on-the-spot fines and penalty points, and five arrests were made on suspicion of drink or drug-driving.

A further seven drivers could face prosecution in court for offences such as having no insurance, no licence, no tax, or using a vehicle in a dangerous condition.

Police warned that although the targeted campaign had ended, officers remained on the lookout for defects all year round, so drivers should make sure their vehicles were "fit for the road".

Organised checks were carried out at locations across the Isle of Man

The force said 44 cases of worn tyres were found during the campaign and 11 vehicles did not have up-to-date road tax.

Nineteen other types of faults were recorded, including issues with exhausts, windscreen wipers, washer fluid, horns, and missing or damaged wing mirrors.

The roadside checks, carried out randomly around commuter times, were a collaboration between the police, the customs and excise division and the vehicle test centre.

The figures also included stops made as part of routine police patrols during the period.

Similar checks carried out in the run-up to Christmas last year saw 117 of the 198 vehicles stopped found to have defects.

A force spokesperson said: "We do this campaign at this time of year to raise awareness as, with the darker nights and change in weather, the ever-present risks from using defective vehicles are increased.

"However, officers routinely stop and check vehicles and their drivers 365 days of the year to carry out regular checks to ensure that both you and your vehicle are fit for the road."