Road Policing officers from Lincolnshire Police, working in partnership with the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), have once again been targeting commercial vehicles on the A1 near Grantham.
Their latest operation led to the discovery of a severely overloaded vehicle that quickly became the “pick of the day” due to the scale of its offences.
Initial suspicions were raised about the vehicle’s weight, prompting a closer inspection. The checks revealed staggering results: the vehicle was found to be two tonnes over its permitted train weight – an excess of 30.2%. More alarming still, it was 44% over its gross weight and 53.7% over on its second axle.
What’s more, the trailer attached to the vehicle was also far from compliant, being overloaded by 16.5% across all three axles and on its overall gross weight.
As a direct result of these findings, the driver was reported for their offences and the vehicle was immediately prohibited from making any further movements. This swift action ensured that a potentially dangerous situation was dealt with before it could escalate on one of the county’s busiest stretches of road.
Driving an overweight and overloaded vehicle poses serious risks to road safety. Excessive weight places enormous strain on braking systems, steering, and tyres, all of which are critical for maintaining control.
Such vehicles are harder to stop in an emergency, more likely to suffer mechanical failures, and can become unstable, dramatically increasing the likelihood of accidents that could result in serious injury or death.
This case also serves as a reminder of the importance of adhering to road safety regulations. Rules governing vehicle weight limits are not arbitrary; they are carefully set to protect drivers, passengers, and all other road users.
Compliance ensures vehicles remain roadworthy, infrastructure is not unduly damaged, and the chances of catastrophic collisions are significantly reduced.
In conclusion
The joint operation between Lincolnshire Police and the DVSA once again underlines their commitment to keeping the roads safe. The removal of this dangerously overloaded vehicle highlights the vital role of enforcement in preventing reckless behaviour on the highways.
It stands as a clear warning to others in the transport industry that cutting corners at the expense of safety will not be tolerated.
News Credits: X :@LincsPoliceOps
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