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14:03 10/03/2021
Between 15-21 March 2021, the Constabulary will be focusing their efforts on the National Police Chief’s Council campaign, ensuring HGVs and commercial vehicles are operating safely on the roads of Derbyshire.
Our Roads Policing Unit will be working alongside partner agencies, to patrol check-sites across the county, targeting offences such as insecure loads, carriage of dangerous goods, lack of documentation and checking tachographs to ensure that drivers and employers are following the rules on drivers' hours. The team will also be undertaking a series of routine vehicle inspections for roadworthiness.
Part of this operation will be also focussed on investigating any evidence of illegal entry or smuggling to Derbyshire. Though trafficking often takes place across UK borders, it can also happen in landlocked cities. Working together with Border Force, we will be carrying out immigration and customs checks to protect the vulnerable from the devastating effects that trafficking can have on individuals and their families.
Sergeant Priddle, RPU operation lead, said: “We need to do all we can in ensuring the roads of Derbyshire are the safest they can be.
“Though commercial vehicle drivers are professionals, mistakes can still be made - which can lead to devastating results in such heavy vehicles.
“This campaign isn’t just about enforcement, it also gives us a chance to advise and educate drivers to ensure loads are safely secured and inspect vehicles to make sure they are not operating in a dangerous condition.
“It’s vital that drivers carry out regular checks on their vehicles, loads shift easily when travelling and if they aren’t secured in the correct way, it can be the difference between life and death to other road users, pedestrians or to themselves.
“Road safety is each and every drivers’ responsibility. Before starting off on a journey, drivers need to be confident that their vehicle is not overloaded and their primary concern should be that the load is secure.
We have the power to carry out spot checks on your vehicle and issue fixed penalty fines and prohibitions if necessary.”
For further load securing advice, see the Government’s Vehicle Operator Guidance.