Suffolk Police to support national crack-down on unsafe commercial vehicles

Suffolk Police are joining a national campaign to crack down on unsafe commercial vehicles.

Officers will be targeting lorries, vans and taxis until the eighth of February, checking for offences like insecure loads and dangerous driving.

The campaign is being headed by National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC). The Police's specialist Commercial Vehicle Unit with the Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) traffic and vehicle examiners, at sites across Suffolk during the two-week period.

Police will be focusing their resources on offences committed by a range of commercial drivers. These include drivers of lorries, vans, buses, plant vehicles, agricultural machinery and taxis. They will also targeting people using vehicles for deliveries including illegally modified e-bikes.

It's hoped the operation will keep roads safer and disrupt criminal activity.

PC Terry Harvey, of the Commercial Vehicle Unit in Suffolk, said: “We consider those who drive for a living as professional drivers. You may think this means they have the experience and knowledge to avoid committing road traffic offences, however this is not always the case."

“Due to their size and in some cases, their loads, they have the potential to pose the biggest risk to other drivers if they are involved in a collision on Suffolk’s roads."

“Fatal four offences, such as using a mobile phone, driving under the influence, not wearing a seatbelt or speeding are the biggest contributors to those killed or seriously injured on the road. Add the weight of a commercial vehicle or a dangerous load and you’re looking at catastrophic consequences."

“We will always seek to engage with and educate drivers in the first instance and those found to be committing offences will be dealt with in a robust manner.”

Tim Passmore, Suffolk’s Police and Crime Commissioner, said: “Since its creation from the council tax precept investment, the Commercial Vehicle Unit has had some excellent results which show just how valuable the team is."

"I fully appreciate the expertise this team brings and the difference it makes. Keeping our roads free-flowing and reducing the number of collisions has a massive impact on the county's economy."

"I hope the publicity around this proactive campaign will make drivers think twice about the roadworthiness of their vehicle, and themselves, before getting behind the wheel. This will make the roads safer for us all."