Multi-agency day of action aims to improve safety on the county’s roads

More than 40 vehicles were stopped in South Northamptonshire as part of a multi-agency day of action in a bid to improve safety on the county’s major road network.

Led by Northamptonshire Police’s Forensic Collision Investigation Unit, the one-day operation was supported by the Force’s Roads Policing, Safer Roads, Neighbourhood Policing, Response and Special Constabulary.

They were also joined by colleagues from the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR), the National CBRN Centre and the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) for the day of action, which was held on Thursday, July 6.

Throughout the day, 41 goods vehicles were intercepted by officers in marked police cars and motorcyclists, before being escorted to the two check sites situated on the northbound and southbound carriageways of the A43, near Brackley and Towcester, respectively.

Once at the check sites, officers from the various agencies checked for offences, and of those stopped, 19 vehicles - just under half - were found to be fully compliant with relevant licences and considered to be in a roadworthy condition.

However, one driver – a 31-year-old man from Brackley – was arrested on suspicion of driving while under the influence of drugs and possession of a Class B drug. He was released on police bail pending further investigation.

A total of 18 vehicles were issued with immediate prohibition notices which prevented the drivers from continuing their journeys until the defects and offences had been rectified, which included defective brakes and tyres.

A further eight drivers were given delayed prohibition notices for minor defects. This means that although the driver can continue with their journey, the owner of the vehicle is given up to 10 days to fix the defect before the vehicle is inspected again.

While two drivers were issued with inspection notices which advises the owner of the vehicle of minor defects, in the same way as an MOT advisory. This included a fuel leak and defective exhaust.

Two drivers were reported to the Health & Safety Executive for breaches of the ADR – which is the European Agreement concerning the international carriage of dangerous goods by road – for not having essential and required personal protection equipment, a defective tyre and incorrect emergency contact details.

Three vehicles were seized (no insurance, no licence, no tax), while other drivers were issued with fixed penalty or prohibition notices for the other offences, including not wearing a seat belt, insecure and overweight loads.

Northamptonshire Police forensic collision investigator and specialist vehicle examiner, PC Chris Gray, said: “Road safety is everyone’s responsibility, and it is disappointing that just over half the vehicles stopped were not in a roadworthy condition.

“Improving safety on our roads is a Force priority and with the support from our partners, we will continue to hold these days of action to ensure people using our roads are doing so both legally and responsibly.”

In 2022, after being involved in a road collision in Northamptonshire, tragically 40 people never returned home safely to their loved ones. Reducing the number of people who are killed or seriously injured on our county’s roads remains a Force priority.