THREE drug-drivers, motorists without insurance, overloaded vans and unroadworthy vehicles were all stopped as West Mercia Police officers carried out a ‘day of action’ for Road Safety Week.
Police from Worcestershire’s Operational Patrol Unit were joined by officers from Bromsgrove Safer Neighbourhood Team and the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) at Hopwood Services on the M42 in Alvechurch.
Response cars and motorbike riders pulled over motorists so vehicles’ roadworthiness could be checked, along with weight limits, valid MOT and insurance certificates, incorrectly displayed number plates and overly-tinted windows.
One low loader stopped for no insurance was carrying another vehicle that was too big, which made it a tonne overweight.
The driver tested positive for cannabis and further checks found his truck had a faulty handbrake and the engine hood was being held down by a bungee cord.
The day of action was part of ‘Operation Drive Insured’ – a week-long operation developed by MIB (Motor Insurers’ Bureau) and supported nationally by police force to detect and seize uninsured vehicles.
It was also aimed at raising awareness of the issue and encouraging motorists to check when their insurance is due to avoid any lapse in cover but to also target those motorists intentionally using the roads without insurance.
During the Hopwood operation, three motorists were arrested on suspicion of drug driving, one had no valid MOT, one did not have insurance, 11 vehicles were prohibited from returning to the roads and seven delayed prohibitions were placed on vehicles.
PC Gethin Venn, from Worcestershire OPU, said: “We conducted this operation because as a force we want to ensure the roads networks are safe and to reduce fatalities from the fatal four – speeding, drink, and drug driving, driving while distracted and the non-wearing of seatbelts.
“Working with our partners we targeted vehicles of interest to us, making sure they were in a roadworthy condition and insured for the safety of all road users.
“It was a positive day – we’ve had three drug drivers, weight offences on vehicles, no insurance results, no MOTs, illegally tinted front windows, and registration plates incorrectly displayed.”
