Kent Police are cracking down on unsafe commercial vehicles as part of a two-week national road safety campaign, which runs until Sunday, February 9, 2025.
The initiative aims to reduce the number of collisions involving commercial vehicles by identifying insecure and overweight loads, as well as other road safety violations.
Wide-Ranging Enforcement Across Kent
As of Tuesday, February 4, officers have taken action against 68 offences, including:
✔ Driving without a licence, insurance, or MOT
✔ Failing to wear a seatbelt
✔ Driving a dangerous or defective vehicle
✔ Using illegal number plates or window tints
The enforcement operation is taking place across Kent, with a key focus on Sandwich, where officers partnered with the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) at a checkpoint on Friday, January 31.
At this location, officers issued:
- 20 traffic offence reports for commercial vehicles
- 14 reports for non-commercial vehicles
- Prohibition notices for vehicles found to be overloaded or defective
Arrests Made During the Operation
In addition to vehicle-related offences, officers also made two arrests:
A 28-year-old man from Margate – suspected of driving under the influence of cannabis
A 34-year-old woman from Dover – wanted in connection with an assault in London
Police Warning on Commercial Vehicle Safety
Chief Inspector Craig West, Head of Roads Policing, stressed the importance of road safety compliance, particularly for vehicles being driven for work purposes.
“Every year, tens of thousands of people across the UK are injured in collisions involving a vehicle being driven for work purposes. That is why it is vital these vehicles are roadworthy and being driven by someone who is legally able to do so.”
He urged all road users to ensure their vehicles are safe and compliant with regulations:
“We all have a responsibility to one another when driving, so please remember to take all necessary steps to reduce the risk of being involved in a serious collision.”
What is Considered a Commercial Vehicle?
The campaign does not only focus on lorries, trucks, and vans – a commercial vehicle is any vehicle used for work purposes, which can also include:
- Cars used for business travel
- Motorcycles used for deliveries or courier services
Ongoing Road Safety Efforts
Kent Police will continue targeting unsafe commercial vehicles throughout the campaign period and beyond, aiming to ensure road safety laws are followed.
? Drivers caught committing offences face fines, points, or even vehicle seizures. Anyone with information about dangerous or unroadworthy vehicles can report them to Kent Police via 101 or online.
