Police release SHOCK motoring statistics for vehicles with ‘dangerous defects’

More than HALF of all vehicles stopped during Northumbria Police Christmas crackdown were found to have dangerous defects.

At the beginning of December Northumbria Police pledged their support to the annual Christmas Drink and Drug Driving Campaign led by the National Police Chief’s Council (NPCC).

Every year, forces across the country take part in a crackdown on motorists who are under the influence of drink or drugs in the lead up to the festive period.

As well as checking whether drivers were in fit state to get behind the wheel, the teams also cracked down on those driving unroadworthy vehicles and putting other road users at risk.

Motor Patrols officers and the Operation Dragoon team continued to be deployed across the region to stop those suspected of driving under the influence.

The campaign concluded on 23 December and the Force has now revealed that 55% of those vehicles stopped had dangerous defects – including defective fire extinguishers and tyres, incorrect or missing documentation and defective or obscured warning placards.

As part of the activity a total 106 vehicles were stopped with 58 drivers issued with prohibition notices.

Seven of those issued with notices had been carrying dangerous goods that were not secured/stored properly including petrol, acid and radioactive materials.

Sergeant Glen Robson, of Northumbria Police’s Motor Patrols Department, has condemned the actions of those he says have “put lives at risk”.

He said: “It shouldn’t be underestimated how dangerous it is driving in a defected, unroadworthy vehicle for the driver and for other road users.

“We are never happy to have to issue prohibitions for these types of offences because it means they have been putting lives at risk.

“By not bothering to check over your vehicle before a journey or keep it in safe condition can result in a fatality that leaves a family devastated and ruins your own life.”

When a prohibition notice is issued the vehicle immediately cannot be driven and any defects identified have got to be fixed at the scene or the vehicle will be towed away.

Anyone who wants to report information on a defected vehicle that is being driven on our roads or who has dash-cam footage of dangerous driving, can do so online at the Northumbria Police website.