First off, a magnet to manipulate a tachograph was found in a lorry near Dover on Saturday, when DVSA officers stopped the vehicle for an inspection.
This wasn’t the only problem with the HGV either. Upon further checks, officers found damaged tyres, loose wheel nuts and leaking shock absorbents.
The lorry has been immobilized until it is repaired and all the fines have been paid.
We discovered driving periods where the #tachograph was recording rest🛌
Driver admitted using a🧲
Further manipulation checks conducted to ensure a device was not fitted💻
We also found damaged tyres,loose wheels nuts & leaking shock absorbers🚫 pic.twitter.com/2P4YFQ8FNe
— DVSA Enforcement (@DVSAEnforcement) August 27, 2022
While many people commenting on DVSA’s post above urged the officers to turn such lorries back to mainland Europe, it must be said that foreign vehicles are not the only ones caught with severe technical defects.
Scottish road police, together with DVSA Enforcement, prohibited three vehicles on Friday with serious defects.
#DumbartonRP Group1 carried out a joint operation with @DVSAEnforcement on the A82 and A83 today. 3 vehicles were prohibited due to serious defects, 2 vehicles issued defect forms and a driver issued ticket for not wearing seatbelt. #DriveSmart #DailyChecksSavesFines #PG9 pic.twitter.com/vi1RKalg1E
— Road Policing Scotland (@polscotrpu) August 26, 2022
Besides technical defects, load security was also the focus of roadside checks.
This lorry pictured below had many defects and you don’t have to be a trained professional to see that the load was not secured safely. It is little surprise that the vehicle was prohibited.
Great multi agency approach to #roadsafety with @DVSAEnforcement while also running @HighwaysEMIDS #OpTramline
Not only is the load insecure and unsafe, numerous defects on vehicle mean a prohibition issued by #DVSA pic.twitter.com/iSctiBfITZ— Leicestershire Roads Policing Unit (RPU) (@LeicsPoliceRPU) August 25, 2022
Meanwhile, insufficient cargo securing is arguably too understated a way to describe this HGV the officers checked in London. The lorry was carrying hazardous goods, and as you can see, many of the boxes and cans were basically not secured at all.
Moreover, the transport documentation wasn’t complete, so this time, besides a fine for the driver, DVSA officers reported the company to the Health and Safety Executive.
CVU and @DVSAEnforcement stopped this vehicle carrying hazardous goods today. The load was insecure and there was missing documentation to name a few of the issues. Fine, prohibition, company visit and report to the HSE incoming. #CityCVU #CityRPU 153cp pic.twitter.com/irCz7wlL5S
— City Police Officers (@CityPoliceCops) August 25, 2022
Finally, other HGVs carrying dangerous goods were found guilty of improper cargo securing in Northamptonshire. On this occasion, not only the load was hazardous, but also the condition of the tyres.
Carriage of Dangerous Goods (#CDG) checks today with #response, @Northants_RPU, @Northants_RCT & @DVSAEnforcement.
Lots of identified offences dealt with roadside (advice / prohibitions / enforcement).
Some good operators & drivers but also some poor ones too.#OpMethane pic.twitter.com/ww0tdUUVm9
— Northants Serious Collision Investigation Unit (@NorthantsSCIU) August 24, 2022