M4: Lorry driver fined £1,500 for breaching driving hours
Thames Valley Police caught the driver during a road safety operation on May 1, along the M4 near Reading. The crackdown, which focused on HGV and LGV safety, was carried out with the DVSA and Thames Valley Police's Commercial Vehicle Unit. A total of 25 vehicles were stopped and inspected during the operation.
The police found a variety of offences, including defective tyres, insecure loads, overweight vehicles, and lack of road tax. These offences resulted in several fines and tickets being issued. The GBP1,500 fine was handed to the driver for breaching driving hour regulations.
According to the rules, drivers are permitted a maximum of nine hours of daily driving, which can be increased to ten hours, but only twice a week. The weekly driving limit is 56 hours, and the fortnightly limit is 90 hours. Drivers are required to take a 45-minute break following 4.5 hours of continuous driving.
Failure to adhere to these regulations can result in significant fines. A Thames Valley Police spokesperson said: "A number of tickets were issued along with a variety of fines for the offences." "Thank you to those drivers who were stopped and found to be all in order."
This initiative is part of the force's ongoing efforts to ensure road safety and adherence to legal driving hours.
The operation highlights the importance of compliance with road regulations by HGV and LGV drivers.