Suffolk Police support national campaign highlighting commercial vehicle safety

Officers in Suffolk are supporting a nationwide enforcement campaign focusing on vehicles used for businesses and trade.

The commercial vehicle campaign is led by the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) and runs from Monday to Sunday, January 26 to February 8.

It provides the opportunity for police forces to focus their resources on offences committed by a range of commercial drivers, including those of lorries, vans, buses, plant vehicles, agricultural machinery and taxis.

Attention will also be given to those using vehicles for delivery purposes including illegally modified e-bikes.

The specialist Commercial Vehicle Unit will be working alongside the Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) traffic and vehicle examiners, at sites across the county during the two-week period.

Officers will be working to tackle those working illegally in the UK and using both heavy and light goods vehicles, disrupting those with links to Organised Immigration Crime.

The operation provides opportunities to intercept anyone using the road network for criminal purposes and reinforce the message that Suffolk is a hostile environment for them to operate in.

As always, drivers committing fatal four offences will be targeted (drink/drug-driving; speeding; using a mobile phone; and not wearing a seatbelt), but with commercial vehicles there are a whole raft of other potential offences, including exceeding driver hours, insecure loads, overweight vehicles and dangerous loads.

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.”