Dorset Police Crack Down on Heavy Load Vehicles to Ensure Road Safety
Dorset Police launched an operation targeting heavy load vehicles to prevent road hazards and ensure safety on major routes.
Dorset, Police, Heavy Load, Road Safety, Traffic Offences
Dorset: Officers from the Dorset Police roads traffic team focused on busy roads. They aimed to highlight the dangers of unsecured loads during their operation.
Since January 2024, police received over 1,000 emergency calls. These calls reported items blocking major roads, often discarded from moving vehicles.
PC Steve Eastwood emphasized their job is to keep main roads open. The A31 and A338 were specifically targeted during the operation on January 28.
He mentioned that he responds to reports of road debris almost daily. The items can range from small tools to large objects like carpets and sofas.
During the operation, a drop-side van was found 570kg overweight. It also had loose tools, violating safety regulations.
Commercial vehicles must cover loads with a sheet to prevent spillage. All items need to be securely tied down to avoid fines.
Working with the DVSA, the driver received a prohibition order. This order prevented him from leaving until he reduced the excess weight.
PC Eastwood noted that some may see this issue as minor. However, unsecured items can cause serious accidents.
PC Chris Brolan stated they don’t target working people. But the serious consequences of unsecured loads justify their actions.
Officers also stopped a vehicle carrying unsecured scaffolding poles. They found the load was both unsecured and overweight.
When items obstruct the road, officers must block traffic to retrieve them. This can delay their response to other incidents.
PC Brolan mentioned that retrieving items puts them at risk of being hit by fast-moving vehicles.
While checking other drivers, they spotted a dangerous unsecured vehicle. The driver was instructed to secure the netting over the load.
Upon stopping the van, officers discovered it contained rubbish and large items. These included a mattress and washing machine, covered only by loose netting.
Further inspection revealed three out of six tyres were worn and illegal. The driver was ordered to replace the tyres and secure the load.
In one day, Dorset Police and the DVSA issued 18 traffic offence reports and five prohibitions. More information on securing loads can be found on the Gov.uk website.