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

A variety of vehicle defects and driving offences were detected as part of a multi-agency day of action to improve road safety held at the end of last month (September).

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 teams.

They were also joined by colleagues from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) on September 26, to target vans, large goods vehicles (LGV), minibuses and cars being driven illegally or irresponsibly on the county’s roads.

Throughout the day, officers in marked police cars intercepted drivers on the M1 motorway, A5 and A428 corridors and escorted them to a check site at Crick, where the vehicles were checked for offences.

Of those stopped, 16 were issued with immediate prohibition notices after 22 different offences were identified which prevented the drivers from leaving the check site until defects and offences had been fixed.

Mechanical defects included unroadworthy tyres, non-working lights and seat belts, problems with exhaust, braking and warning systems, as well as a defective passenger door and interior body condition.

While three vehicles had either overweight or insecure loads, two drivers were found to have committed tachograph offences after exceeding their driving hours and two vehicles were seized for no insurance/licence.

Seven drivers received delayed prohibition notices for minor defects including number plates, suspension, and trailer couplings. Although the driver can continue their journey, the owner is given up to 10 days to fix the defect before the vehicle is inspected again.

A further four drivers were issued with inspection notices which advises the owner of minor defects, in the same way as an MOT advisory.

Drug-related offences also came to light during the operation. A 25-year-old Sandwell man is due to appear before Northampton Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, October 24, after being charged with possession of a Class B drug, while two drivers – aged 19 and 49 – were released under investigation after being arrested on suspicion of drug driving offences.

Northamptonshire Police forensic collision investigator and specialist vehicle examiner, Sergeant Chris Gray, said: “Road safety is everyone’s responsibility, and with the support from our partners, we will continue to hold these operations to ensure people using our roads are doing so both legally and responsibly.”

Tragically in 2023, after being involved in a road collision in Northamptonshire, 29 people never returned home safely to their loved ones, and 271 required urgent medical assistance for serious and life-changing injuries.

Anyone with information about road safety concerns or any vehicle crime is asked to report it online at www.northants.police.uk/reportonline or call Northamptonshire Police on 101. Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Always call 999 in the event of an emergency, such as a crime in progress or where life is at risk.