M5 crackdown on dodgy vans sees vehicles seized as drivers pulled over by police

A robust response to dodgy vans and light commercial vehicles led to 23 drivers being stopped in a police operation at Gordano Services on the M5, organised by Avon and Somerset Police. The crackdown, conducted on Wednesday, May 1, culminated in four vehicles being confiscated, whilst officers stopped six motorists from resuming their journey.

Collaborating with the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), Trading Standards and the Environment Agency, the force aimed for those vehicles displaying poor maintenance. The day's initiative was part of Operation Trader, a strategy to intercept commercial and light goods vehicles for safety checks.

Avon and Somerset Police Roads Policing (RPU) reported on social media: "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.

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