Police target heavy load vehicles in crackdown

Officers from Dorset Police's roads traffic team targeted the county's busiest roads during an operation to highlight unsecure loads Since January 2024, police received over 1000 emergency calls of items blocking Dorset's major roads, which had been discarded from moving vehicles. PC Steve Eastwood said their primary job is to keep the main arterial roads in and out of Dorset open, such as the A31 and A338 which were targeted in this operation on January 28.

He said he attends reports of items on the road almost daily and can range from tools such as screwdrivers to large items like carpets and sofas. Van overweight and load not secured or covered (Image: Newsquest) A drop side van pulled over by PC Eastwood was found to be 570kg overweight of its 3500kg limit, along with loose tools.

Commercial vehicles must cover loads with a sheet to prevent spillage and all items must be securely tied down, or the driver risks facing a fine. Working alongside the DVSA, the driver was given a prohibition order which prevented him from leaving the check site until he had shed the excess weight. Curtain lorry unsecure - sheet only protects from weather (Image: Newsquest)

PC Eastwood said some people may view the issue as minor, but that items in the road can, and does, kill people. PC Chris Brolan added that it is not Dorset Police's mantra to target the working people, but "the consequences are so serious that it merits it". After pulling over a vehicle carrying scaffolding poles, officers found all items not secured and overweight.

Items not secured on scaffolding van (Image: Dorset Police) When an item is obstructing the road, officers must block it to retrieve the object, which PC Brolan said prevents them from attending other crimes. He added: "Every time I stop to retrieve items, I am putting myself at risk of being struck by a fast-moving vehicle."

While searching other drivers, officers were alerted to a dangerous unsecured vehicle travelling along the dual carriageway. Driver told to secure netting over load (Image: Newsquest) After being stopped, the van was found to contain a variety of rubbish and large items including a mattress and washing machine, which were only covered by a loose netting.

Upon further inspection, a DVSA officer also found that three out of the six tyres were extremely worn and illegal to be used on the road. Van stopped for unsecure load found to have dangerous tyres (Image: Newsquest) The driver was ordered to replace the tyres and secure the load before leaving the site.

In one day of action Dorset Police officers, with the DVSA, issued 18 traffic offence reports and five PG9 prohibitions.

More information on 'securing loads on HGVs and goods vehicles' can be found on the Gov.uk website.