Crackdown on dodgy vans on M5 sees vehicles seized and drivers punished

A crackdown on dodgy vans and light commercial vehicles resulted in 23 drivers being stopped in a police operation at Gordano Services on the M5 by Avon and Somerset Police. Four vehicles were seized in the operation on Wednesday, May 1, with officers also preventing six drivers from getting back behind the wheel.

The force, working alongside the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), Trading Standards and the Environment Agency, targeted vehicles which appeared to be badly maintained. The day of action was part of Operation Trader, where commercial and light goods vehicles are stopped to make sure they are safe to drive.

ASPolice Roads Policing (RPU), writing on social media, said: "On Wednesday we carried out #OpTransporter at Gordano Services on the M5, an operation working alongside @DVSAgovuk to target vehicles which appeared to be poorly maintained. 23 Drivers stopped 13 Offences reported four vehicles seized six prohibited six drivers educated."

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According to the AA, defective and poorly maintained vehicles contributed to more than 1,700 road casualties in 2021, with defective brakes and poor tyres accounting for the most collisions, and most fatal incidents. In 2023, 62 people will killed in crashes on roads in the Avon and Somerset area.

It comes after a similar day of action in Taunton back in February, when 26 vehicles were stopped by officers at the Hankridge Farm retail park. Of these, 19 were classed as having an immediate or dangerous issue.

Acting Inspector Stephen Whatley, who led Operation Trader for the Avon and Somerset Roads Policing Unit said at the time: “When vehicles are not maintained or are neglected by their owners, they become a serious risk to the public. The aim of this operation is to identify those vehicles which pose a risk, engage with the owners or companies, and carry out balanced and proportionate enforcement.

“The Roads Policing Unit will continue to carry out checks and take action where necessary to help protect all road users.”